Fumitory
What Is Fumitory Weed?
Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), also called common fumitory, is a soft, scrambling annual weed that loves disturbed soils, gardens, and fields. You’ll spot it by its delicate, feathery green leaves and clusters of small, pinkish-red flowers with dark tips. Fumitory grows quickly and spreads by dropping lots of tiny seeds, so it can soon take over if you don’t act early.
How to Identify Common Fumitory
You can easily recognise fumitory by its unique features:
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Leaves: The leaves look light green and feathery, with each segment divided into smaller, rounded parts. They feel soft and have no spines or hairs.
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Stems: Stems are thin, weak, and often sprawl along the ground or climb over other plants. They can reach up to 80 cm long.
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Flowers: Fumitory produces clusters of small, tubular flowers. Each flower is pink to red with a dark tip, and you’ll usually see 10–40 flowers in a group. Flowers are less than 9 mm long.
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Fruit/Seeds: After flowering, the plant forms tiny, round, slightly flattened seed pods. Each pod holds one seed, and these seeds can survive in the soil for years.
Why Is It A Problem?
Fumitory quickly competes with your lawn, crops, or garden plants for space, water, and nutrients. It grows fast and spreads easily, producing lots of seeds in a short time. As a result, it can form a thick mat that smothers nearby plants and stops them from growing well. If you let it flower and go to seed, you’ll likely face even more fumitory popping up next season.
How to Identify Fumitory Weed
You can easily recognise fumitory by its standout features:
Leaves
Look for light green, feathery leaves. Each one splits into smaller, rounded parts. They feel soft and smooth, with no spines or hairs.
Stems
The thin, weak stems often sprawl along the ground or climb over nearby plants. In some cases, they can grow as long as 80 cm.
Flowers
Fumitory grows small clusters of tubular flowers. Each flower is pink to red with a dark tip, and you’ll usually find 10 to 40 flowers grouped together. Most are under 9 mm long.
Fruit/Seeds
After the flowers fade, fumitory forms tiny, round seed pods that are slightly flattened. Each pod carries one seed, and these seeds can stay in the soil for years, ready to grow when the time is right.
Effective Methods
Keep Your Lawn and Garden Healthy
First, focus on growing thick, healthy grass or garden plants. When your plants thrive, they naturally crowd out fumitory and other weeds. To help them along, keep up with regular mowing, watering, and fertilising—these simple steps give your lawn the strength it needs to fight off unwanted weeds.
Remove Weeds Early
As soon as you see young fumitory plants, pull them out by hand. Make sure to remove the roots, especially before the plant starts flowering and setting seed. It’s much easier to do this when the soil is damp, so aim for a weeding session after rain or watering.
Use Mulch
Spread mulch over your garden beds to block sunlight and stop fumitory seeds from sprouting. At the same time, mulch helps the soil stay moist and cool, giving your plants a better chance to grow strong and healthy.
Try Selective Herbicides
If fumitory has already spread, you can use a selective herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds but doesn’t harm your grass. Look for products containing active ingredients like MCPA or 2,4-D. Always follow the label instructions and spray when the weeds are young for best results.
Prevent Future Problems
After removing fumitory, check your lawn and garden regularly for new weeds. Remove any new plants quickly, and keep your garden beds covered with mulch or healthy plants to stop seeds from germinating.
Chemical Control Options
Herbicides can also be used to manage fumitory and other weeds. Some effective choices include:
Surefire Amine 625 Herbicide
is a strong weed killer that targets broadleaf weeds, making it a handy choice for keeping crops and gardens healthy. It contains 2,4-D, one of the most commonly used weed killers, and works well on many weeds, including fumitory. You can use it in both farming and non-farming areas. Best of all, it’s easy to apply and helps you control weeds so your plants can grow better.
Surefire DICAMBA M Selective Herbicide
Surefire DICAMBA M Selective Herbicide helps you control broadleaf weeds in turf, lawns, and other areas. It’s a great choice for keeping grass healthy on golf courses, sports fields, and parks. You can also use it to manage weeds in winter crops and pastures. This herbicide works well on many common weeds, including Bindy-eye, Cape weed, Clover, Dandelion, Dock, Fumitory, and Thistles. It helps your grass stay neat and your crops grow without weed problems.
Yates Weed ‘N’ Feed Hose On
Yates Weed ‘N’ Feed Hose On is an easy and effective way to get rid of broadleaf weeds, including fumitory, while keeping your lawn healthy. This weed killer targets common weeds like clover, dandelions, and bindii without harming your grass. It also feeds your lawn with important nutrients like nitrogen and iron, helping it grow lush and green. With its dual-action formula, it kills weeds and nourishes your lawn in one simple step.
Discover more solutions for managing fumitory and other weeds by exploring our Selective Herbicide Range.
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