Capeweed
Capeweed, is also known as the Cape Dandelion. It is a low growing annual weed with a flat rosette of leaves.
Jerry Spencer 
Capeweed, is also known as the Cape Dandelion. It is a low growing annual weed with a flat rosette of leaves.
It is very difficult to control, poisonous and indigestible if eaten in large quantities. In livestock, it causes respiratory issues, and stringhalt in horses.
After you read this, you will be able to:
- Identify the Cape Dandelion.
- Know its habitat.
- Know the best options to control it.
Why is Capeweed a Problem?
- It has a deep taproot. This enables it to survive in dry conditions.
- The CapeDandelion produces a lot of seeds. These can remain viable for several years. In good conditions it produces over 4,000 seeds a season.
- These seeds move by: human activity, animals, wind, water and in grass clippings.
- The rosettes are large. This means that the plants are able to compete strongly with turf.
- It is very competitive for water, nutrients and light.
- In cool, cloudy weather, toxic levels of nitrates can occur in the Cape Dandelion. These nitrates suppress the plant uptake of Magnesium. This reduces plant iodine levels and causes grass tetany.
- When dairy cattle eat this weed it can also taint milk.
During its vegetative stages, you can confuse this weed with Dandelion, Catsear, Sowthistle and Fleabane.
