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HELP! My Wildflower Meadow has been invaded

l.noble.1964kTHASXm2l.noble.1964kTHASXm2 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi - my wildflower meadow is in its 5th year and had been getting better each year. However this year it has been completely dominated by something that has spread throughout the meadow and is stifling everything else out.  I do not know what it is or how to get rid of it other than digging over the whole meadow after I cut it late summer and starting all over again. It pulls out really easily and is slightly sticky to the touch.  Has anyone else come across this and can offer any advice about what to do?
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Is it Bird’s Foot Trefoil?


    https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/birds-foot-trefoil

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hello I.noble and welcome to the forum. I think you have been invaded by Cleavers - common names include goose grass or sticky willie. It is sticky to the feel and eventually gets the tiny little sticky buds that cling to everything.

    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Dovefromabove said:
    Is it Bird’s Foot Trefoil?


    https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/birds-foot-trefoil
    I can see some BFT in the second photo but the pods in the first photo are not BFT pods. what colour were the flowers? It's a Pea family plant, not Cleavers


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Now I'm doubting the BFT and wondering if the whole let is Meadow Vetchling, Lathyrus pratensis. It certainly spreads where I have it in the garden though I can't get it going in the4 meadow


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • l.noble.1964kTHASXm2l.noble.1964kTHASXm2 Posts: 4
    Hi, it had very tiny white or pale blue flowers, the pods are very similar to that of a pea in miniature. I do have BFT in my meadow (which I love) but this is different I am not sure that it is Cleavers either, it just covers everything. The more I try to pull it out the more it grows.
    Lynn

  • l.noble.1964kTHASXm2l.noble.1964kTHASXm2 Posts: 4
    Thank you. It does look very similar to meadow vetchling, I don't remember it having yellow flowers as they were so non-descript but leaves & pods do look right. I'll have a read about how (or if) I can control it. Appreciate the help with the ID.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    certainly not Cleavers, they have little balls not pods.
    I know the plant you mean, I'll see if I can work out what it is


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    working on it, looking in the genus Vicia


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    possibly Vicia hirsuta, Hairy Tare. My mother always referred to this one as Tares but that word seems to cover many plants


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • l.noble.1964kTHASXm2l.noble.1964kTHASXm2 Posts: 4
    Thanks again! Think you're spot on with Tare, the pods mostly have 4 to 5 seeds and the flowers are no more than 2mm in length and are white/pale purple so could be Hairy or even Smooth  I'd never heard of it, but it seems the best match.  Much appreciate your kind help.
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