This devil is all over the place on my plot, the roots are very deep, red and thick.
That is red shank. Good news is that it is reasonably easy to get rid of, just keep digging and pulling it out wherever it occurs. I used to get a lot of it, but after a few years' cultivation, it seems less successful!
Quote from: katynewbie on August 12, 2013, 16:19:44
This devil is all over the place on my plot, the roots are very deep, red and thick.
Funnily enough I know it as devil's pinch - look at the devil's finger mark on the leaves!
I found this to be a troublesome weed on my allotment with an extensive root network that was difficult to pull up.
This reference (http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SPsx3uIL5doC&pg=PT78&lpg=PT78&dq=weed+devil%27s+pinch+redshank&source=bl&ots=qFmNiBKx_P&sig=rVusRKlW6WBskOZdiLzqgU0TwUE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AvYJUuyzMPGT0QWf7ICIBw&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA) says it causes dermatitis.
I have it on our plots. It succumbs to the hoe if you catch it early enough or keep uprooting individual plants if they get bigger.
While I doubt you will get rid of it completely you can get to a stage where it does not affect growing crops.
There are far more worse weeds than this one. :happy7:
Thanks everyone. Yes, Ed, I also have mare's tail! :BangHead: