Parsley-piert (Aphanes arvensis) is a freely branched winter annual about 1 to 3 inches tall. It closely resembles lawn burrweed and knawel. Leaves may be petiolate or sessile with a cone-shaped toothed portion (stipule) at the base that encircles the stem. The inconspicuous flowers are borne in axillary clusters and are surrounded by the stipules.

Winter annual broadleaf weeds germinate in the fall or winter and grow during any warm weather, which may occur in the winter, but otherwise remain somewhat dormant during the winter. They resume growth and produce seed in the spring and die as temperatures increase in late spring and early summer. They quickly invade thin turf areas especially where there is good soil moisture. Shade may also encourage growth. Many have a prostrate growth habit and are not affected by mowing. A dense, vigorous turf is the best way to reduce the encroachment of winter annual weeds. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

• GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
  • summer annual weed
• GROWTH HABIT
  • prostrate, spreading
    Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6,
• LEAF MARGIN
  • three-lobed with each lobe again three- to four-lobed
    Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9
• LEAF HAIRS
  • upper/lower surface
• LEAF WIDTH
  • <¹⁄₂ inch
• LEAF VENATION
  • palmate
• LEAF ARRANGEMENT
  • alternate
    Figure 11
• ROOT TYPE
  • fibrous; taproot
    Figure 12, Figure 13
• FLOWER COLOR
  • inconspicuous green flowers

Figure 1. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 1. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 2. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 2. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 3. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 3. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 4. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 4. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 5. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 5. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 6. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 6. Parsley-piert growth habit.

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Figure 7. Parsley-piert leaf margin.

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Figure 7. Parsley-piert leaf margin.

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Figure 8. Parsley-piert leaf margin.

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Figure 8. Parsley-piert leaf margin.

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Figure 9. Parsley-piert leaf margin.

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Figure 9. Parsley-piert leaf margin.

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Figure 11. Parsley-piert leaf arrangement.

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Figure 11. Parsley-piert leaf arrangement.

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Figure 12. Parsley-piert root type.

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Figure 12. Parsley-piert root type.

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Figure 13. Parsley-piert root type.

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Figure 13. Parsley-piert root type.

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