IDENTIFICATION
Annual.
Lady's-thumb stems grow upright as well as along the ground and
leaves are lance-shaped with a distinctive black blotch in the middle.
Pink or purplish flowers are carried in crowded spike-like clusters at
the ends of branches. Mature plants grow to 1 m in height.
DAMAGE
Lady's-thumb competes with cereals, oilseeds, vegetables, berries,
and forages, causing yield reductions. It can delay harvesting as the
large, succulent plants are slow to dry.
HABITAT
Lady's-thumb can be found along roadsides as well as in ditches
and disturbed areas, especially where moist or shady conditions exist.
It sometimes occurs in moist meadows and along lake or pond shorelines.
It is found in all agricultural regions, but is most common in southwestern
BC.
SPREAD
Small seeds can be carried by water or wind. Seeds carried in mud can
hitch a ride on vehicles and equipment. Contaminated crop seed disperses
the weed over long distances.
