MAYWEED— PRICKLY LETTUCE A3 



found particularly in waste places, along roadsides, and in cultivated 

 fields, especially grain and ha}' fields. This is a very coarse plant, 

 greatly resembling the kinghead in general appearance. The plant 

 reaches a height of from three to eight feet, the stem is much branched, 

 and the broad leaves have a grayish tinge. Large numbers of grayish 

 black, elongated, somewhat heart-shaped seeds are produced. 



Eradication. — Prevent the plants from going to seed by cutting 

 or pulling. Marsh elder may easily be held in check by clean farming. 



Mayweed (Anthemis cotula L.) 



Other common names. — Dog's camomile, fetid camomile, dill 

 weed, madders, mawther, dog fennel, hog's fennel, dog-finkle, dog 

 daisy, stinking camomile, and stinking mayweed. 



Description. — Mayweed is an annual or sometimes a winter an- 

 nual which grows in waste places, around old buildings, and on un- 

 cultivated lands. It is particularly abundant in old settlements. It 

 grows in nearly all kinds of soil and is quite generally distributed 

 throughout the State, but is not considered a very serious weed pest. 

 The plant flowers in late summer and early autumn and some seeds 

 are mature in the latter part of August. The leaves of the plant 

 are very finely divided and have a quite prominent and disagreeable 

 odor. The flowering heads are white and sometimes about an inch 

 broad. The center of the head is yellow and the flower is very similar 

 to the yellow-eyed daisy. The plant is propagated entirely by very 

 small and inconspicuous seeds which are often found in lawn-grass 

 mixtures and also in the seeds of some of the clovers. 



Eradication. — Avoid sowing the seed. Pull stray plants in 

 meadows and pastures. Cut the plants that grow in fence corners 

 and lanes before they go to seed. Keep the land fully occupied by 

 grass crops. Clean cultivation will prevent mayweed from becoming 

 established in fields and garden. 



Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca scariola L. ) 



Other common names. — Milk thistle, wild lettuce. English thistle, 

 compass plant, and horse thistle. 



Description. — Prickly lettuce is an annual or biennial plant, from 

 which common earden lettuce is thought to have originated. It was 

 introduced from Europe about fifty years ago and is now very com- 

 mon throughout the State in meadows, cultivated fields, along road- 

 sides, and in waste places. It seems to thrive well in any kind of 



