Soliva sessilis
lawn burweed, field burrweed, field soliva
Family
Asteraceae
Leaf Arrangement
opposite
Leaf Type
bipinnate, dissected
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
green, white, yellow
Flower Month
April - May
Height (meters)
0.0 - 0.2
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
introduced
Lifespan
annual
Growing Season
Cool season
Wetland Class
FACU
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
-1
Field Characters
There are three species in Texas and two in Louisiana (the achene has the best characters for distinguishing between them). Soliva sessilis is the only species with an obvious leafy stem rising above ground (caulescent) and has broad wings on its achene. Soliva stolonifera has once pinnately dissected leaves and awns extending from its achene, while S. mutissii has twice pinnately dissected leaves and no awns on its achenes.
Natural History
A common lawn weed in the South. Children discover its method of seed dispersal when running barefoot in the yard.
Habitat
Lawns and disturbed areas.