Homeowners want their lawns to look nice, but yellow weeds can ruin their appearance. These unwanted guests make your lawn look bad and take away nutrients and space from your grass. Yellow-flowered weeds are common and invasive in lawns.
This guide has the 30 most common weeds with yellow flowers that grow in your lawn. This article will talk about invasive plants. We will cover their traits, how to detect and handle them, and what their future effects may be. Our aim is to equip you with the skills to recognize, control, and restore your lawn’s beauty.
1. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
The dandelion is likely the most recognizable of all yellow-flowered weeds. This weed has yellow flowers and serrated leaves. It’s hard to get rid of because of its deep roots. Let’s start by understanding its features and strategies for control.
Characteristics:
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Bright yellow flowers.
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Distinctive, serrated leaves.
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Deep taproot.
Control:
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Manual removal with a dandelion digger.
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Herbicides targeting broadleaf weeds.
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Regular maintenance to prevent re-seeding.
2. Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
Creeping buttercup, with its glossy yellow flowers, thrives in damp conditions. This plant is a short weed that comes back each year and has leaves like clover. If you don’t control it, it can spread.
Characteristics:
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Glossy yellow flowers.
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Clover-like leaves.
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Low-growing and forms dense mats.
Control:
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Regular mowing and prevention of moisture buildup.
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Herbicides targeting buttercup species.
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
3. Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Common ragwort is a tall weed with small yellow flowers. But, livestock should avoid it because it is toxic and we should remove it.
Characteristics:
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Tall weed with clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers.
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Toxic to livestock.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides targeting ragwort species.
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Prevent seed formation.
4. Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta)
Yellow woodsorrel is a low-growing weed. It spreads and has trifoliate leaves and small yellow flowers. It often forms a dense mat, choking out desirable grass.
Characteristics:
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Low-growing, spreading weed.
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Trifoliate leaves.
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Small yellow flowers.
Control:
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Frequent mowing.
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Herbicides designed for woodsorrel.
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Manual removal for small infestations.
5. Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.)
Hawkweeds are members of the sunflower family, producing clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers. It can be hard to tell them apart, and they spread.
Characteristics:
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Clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers.
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Difficult to distinguish between species.
Control:
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Regular monitoring and prompt removal.
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Herbicides effective against hawkweeds.
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Prevent re-seeding.
6. Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Canada goldenrod is a native plant that can become invasive in lawns. It features tall, branching stems with small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.
Characteristics:
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Tall, branching stems.
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Small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.
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Aggressive spreader.
Control:
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Regular mowing and maintenance.
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Herbicides designed for goldenrod.
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Promote the growth of desirable grass species.
7. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
Coltsfoot is a perennial weed with yellow dandelion-like flowers and large, heart-shaped leaves. It can be particularly challenging to control due to its extensive root system.
Characteristics:
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Yellow dandelion-like flowers.
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Large, heart-shaped leaves.
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Extensive root system.
Control:
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Manual removal with a weed wrench.
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Herbicides designed for perennial weeds.
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Soil disturbance to prevent regrowth.
8. Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella)
Mouse-ear hawkweed has hairy leaves and stems, along with bright yellow flowers. It often forms dense clusters, displacing your desired grass species.
Characteristics:
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Hairy leaves and stems.
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Bright yellow flowers.
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Forms dense clusters.
Control:
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Regular monitoring and hand-pulling.
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Herbicides for hawkweed species.
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Prevent re-seeding by removing flowers.
9. Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Common St. John’s Wort is a small, shrubby weed that has bright yellow flowers and oblong leaves.
Characteristics:
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Shrub-like appearance.
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Bright yellow flowers.
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Small, oblong leaves.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides targeting woody plants.
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Regular maintenance to prevent regrowth.
10. Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)
Common groundsel is a short-lived annual weed with small, yellow, daisy-like flowers. It can spread and form dense colonies if left unchecked.
Characteristics:
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Short-lived annual weed.
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Small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.
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Rapid spreader.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against groundsel.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
11. Spurge (Euphorbia spp.)
Spurge species are low-growing weeds with small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers. They often have milky sap and can be toxic to some animals.
Characteristics:
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Low-growing with small, inconspicuous flowers.
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Milky sap.
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Potential toxicity to animals.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against spurge.
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Avoid contact with milky sap, as it can cause skin irritation.
12. Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
Prickly lettuce is a weed that grows each year or every two years. It has small yellow flowers that look like dandelions and big, prickly leaves. It can be particularly troublesome due to its prolific seed production.
Characteristics:
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Small yellow flowers resembling dandelions.
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Large, prickly leaves.
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Prolific seed production.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against prickly lettuce.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
13. Common Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus)
Common sowthistle is a weed that grows every year or every two years. It has yellow flowers and leaves with deep lobes. It’s a fast grower and can take over lawns if not controlled.
Characteristics:
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Bright yellow flowers.
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lobed leaves.
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Fast-growing.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides designed for sowthistle.
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Regular maintenance to prevent re-seeding.
14. Golden Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Golden creeping jenny is a low-growing perennial weed with small, yellow flowers. It often spreads via creeping stems and roots, forming dense mats.
Characteristics:
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Low-growing with small yellow flowers.
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Spreads via creeping stems and roots.
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Forms dense mats.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against creeping jenny.
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Prevent spreading by cutting off runners.
15. Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)
Black medick is a weed that blooms yellow flowers and has three-part leaves. It can establish itself in lawns and gardens.
Characteristics:
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Yellow pea-like flowers.
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Trifoliate leaves.
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Rapid establishment.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against black medick.
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Promote the growth of desirable grass species.
16. Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna)
The lesser celandine is a small plant. It has shiny yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves. Its early spring emergence can outcompete your lawn grass.
Characteristics:
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Low-growing with glossy yellow flowers.
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Heart-shaped leaves.
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Early spring emergence.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against lesser celandine.
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Regular maintenance to prevent re-seeding.
17. Nipplewort (Lapsana communis)
Nipplewort is an annual weed with bright yellow flowers and lobed leaves. It can become invasive and is best controlled when detected early.
Characteristics:
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Bright yellow flowers.
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lobed leaves.
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Potential for invasiveness.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides designed for nipplewort.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
18. Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium)
Lesser trefoil is a short weed that grows each year and has small, yellow flowers like clover. It also has leaves with three leaflets. It can spread if not managed.
Characteristics:
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Small, yellow, clover-like flowers.
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Trifoliate leaves.
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Fast-spreading.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides targeting lesser trefoil.
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Promote the growth of desirable grass species.
19. Corn Buttercup (Ranunculus arvensis)
Corn buttercup is a weed that grows every year or every two years. It has small yellow flowers and leaves with deep lobes. It can be particularly troublesome due to its prolific seed production.
Characteristics:
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Small yellow flowers.
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lobed leaves.
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Prolific seed production.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against corn buttercup.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
20. Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum)
Mouse-ear chickweed is a low-growing, spreading perennial weed with small, star-shaped yellow flowers. It often forms dense mats, displacing your desired grass species.
Characteristics:
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Low-growing, spreading weed.
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Small, star-shaped yellow flowers.
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Forms dense mats.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against chickweed.
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Promote the growth of desirable grass species.
21. Wall Lettuce (Mycelis muralis)
Wall lettuce is a biennial or perennial weed with yellow flowers and lobed leaves. It can be particularly stubborn due to its extensive taproot.
Characteristics:
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Yellow flowers and lobed leaves.
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Extensive taproot.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against wall lettuce.
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Cut soil disturbance to prevent regrowth.
22. Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
Bird’s-foot trefoil is a weed that comes back every year. It has yellow flowers and seed pods that look like a bird’s foot. It can establish itself in lawns and gardens.
Characteristics:
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Bright yellow flowers.
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Distinctive seed pods.
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Rapid establishment.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against bird’s-foot trefoil.
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Promote the growth of desirable grass species.
23. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod species are know for clusters of small, yellow, daisy-like flowers. They often colonize large areas, displacing desirable grass.
Characteristics:
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Clusters of small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.
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Rapid colonization.
Control:
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Regular monitoring and prompt removal.
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Herbicides designed for goldenrod species.
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Prevent re-seeding.
24. Bristly Oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides)
Bristly oxtongue is a weed that grows for one or two years, with small yellow flowers and rough leaves. It’s notorious for its sharp bristles.
Characteristics:
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Small yellow flowers.
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Bristly leaves with sharp bristles.
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Rapid establishment.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against bristly oxtongue.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
25. Marsh Ragwort (Senecio aquaticus)
Marsh ragwort is a tall weed with clusters of small yellow flowers. It’s often found in damp, low-lying areas.
Characteristics:
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Tall weed with clusters of yellow flowers.
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Prefers damp, low-lying areas.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides targeting marsh ragwort.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
26. Western Groundsel (Senecio integerrimus)
Western groundsel is a perennial weed with bright yellow flowers and lobed leaves. It can be particularly challenging to control due to its extensive root system.
Characteristics:
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Bright yellow flowers.
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lobed leaves.
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Extensive root system.
Control:
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Manual removal with a weed wrench.
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Herbicides designed for perennial weeds.
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Cut soil disturbance to prevent regrowth.
27. Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Tansy ragwort is a tall weed. It has small yellow flowers in clusters. It’s not, it’s also toxic to livestock. We should deal with it.
Characteristics:
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Tall weed with clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers.
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Toxic to livestock.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides targeting tansy ragwort.
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Prevent seed formation by removing flowers.
28. Dyer’s Greenweed (Genista tinctoria)
Dyer’s greenweed is a bushy weed that comes back every year. It has pretty yellow flowers and small, oblong leaves. It’s often found in grasslands and meadows.
Characteristics:
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Shrub-like appearance.
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Bright yellow flowers.
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Small, oblong leaves.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides targeting woody plants.
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Regular maintenance to prevent regrowth.
29. Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus)
Rough hawkbit has small, yellow flowers and lobed leaves. It’s a low-growing perennial weed that can form dense mats.
Characteristics:
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Small yellow flowers.
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lobed leaves.
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Low-growing and forms dense mats.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against hawkbit.
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Prevent re-seeding by removing flowers.
30. Nodding Yellowcress (Rorippa palustris)
Nodding yellowcress is a low-growing weed with small, yellow flowers. It often forms dense clusters, displacing your desired grass species.
Characteristics:
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Low-growing with small yellow flowers.
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Forms dense clusters.
Control:
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Hand-pulling for smaller infestations.
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Herbicides effective against yellowcress.
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Promote the growth of desirable grass species.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you identify and manage 30 common weeds with yellow flowers. To manage weeds, you need to do a few things. First, check for weeds. Second, use effective methods to control them. Third, keep up with maintenance to stop them from coming back.
To keep your lawn healthy and beautiful, learn about different weeds and how to control them. This will help you maintain a source of pride for years. To keep your lawn free of weeds, adjust your approach based on the types and amount of weeds. Consider how much time you can commit to maintenance.
With hard work and determination, your lawn can thrive again. It will have a beautiful, green carpet without those pesky yellow weeds.