Sickleweed
Falcaria vulgaris
Description
Plant is 1-2 ft. tall, lower part the stem together with leaves can be velvety. Leaves almost leathery; leaf segments are linear. Flower is compound umbel with white flowers. Fruit is yellowish-brown, oblong. Flowers June-August.
Habitat
Occurs in riverbanks, forest clearings, dry grasslands, waste places, road, ditches and riverbanks, fallow land, and meadows, also grain and tilled crops.
Location in Nebraska
Found in only a few counties in Eastern Nebraska.
Pathway of Introduction and Spread
Native to Europe, produces thousands of viable seeds per square meter, and readily regenerates from root fragments. Dispersed unintentionally by people, both through human activity and trade (along railroad tracks). Plant can break off and be dispersed by wind along with their seeds. Will also produce new stems up to one meter away from parent stems.
Impacts
Forms dense populations, alters plant community composition and structure when it invades
perennial grasslands . Has potential to form monotypic stands—has become severe problem in South Dakota.
Marinella Miglio – Abruzzo
Andrea Moro – Comune di o