Weeds are a common nuisance for gardeners and landscapers, but some of these pesky plants can also be quite beautiful.
Many Common Weeds with Yellow Flowersthat add brightness to an outdoor space, from the bright yellow dandelion to the cheerful black-eyed Susan. In addition to providing color, many of these weeds are edible or medicinal, making them useful in more ways than one.
Read on to learn about some common weeds with yellow flowers that you may find growing in your yard or garden.
Common Weeds with Yellow Flowers
Dandelions
Scientific Name: Taraxacum
Other Popular Names: Lion’s tooth, Swine’s snout, puffball, blowball, monk’s head, priest’s crown
Plant Height: 4-20 inches
Identification: Dandelion weed is an easily identifiable plant that can be identified by its bright yellow flower and thick, jagged leaves. The stem of the dandelion is also hollow, with a milky-white substance that leaks out when cut or picked. It is believed to have originated in Europe but now grows all over the world. Dandelions can be found in both residential yards and wild areas, thriving in nutrient-rich soil.
Wild Parsnip
Scientific Name: Pastinaca sativa
Other Popular Names: Cow parsnip, wild celery, garden parsnip
Plant Height: 2-6 feet
Identification: Wild parsnip is a weed that can be identified by its yellow-green stems and jagged leaves. It also has small, yellow flowers that grow in umbrella-shaped clusters. The plant grows to about three feet tall and leaves a white sap on the skin if it is touched. Additionally, wild parsnip contains saponins, which give the plant a soapy odor when crushed. When identifying wild parsnip, it’s important to be aware of any toxic reaction or skin irritation that may occur when the plant is touched.
Black-Eyed Susan
Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta
Other Popular Names: Brown-eyed Susan, Brown Betty, gloriosa daisy, yellow oxeye daisy
Plant Height: 2-3 feet
Identification: Black-eyed Susan is a weed that can be identified by its bright yellow or orange daisy petals surrounding a black center. The leaves of the weed are also jagged but typically have toothed edges. It blooms in late summer and can grow to a height of three feet. The weed also produces seeds that can be dispersed by wind, animals, or humans.
Common Mallow
Scientific Name: Malva neglecta
Other Popular Names: Cheese-weed, common cheeseweed, dwarf mallow
Plant Height: 6-18 inches
Identification: Common Mallow is a weed that can be identified by its yellow, five-petaled flowers and round, lobed leaves. The weed usually grows in clusters of three or more and produces seeds when it blooms. It is native to Europe and grows best in moist, well-drained soil. Common Mallow can be found in disturbed soils and can sometimes become invasive.
Creeping Buttercup
Scientific Name: Ranunculus repens
Other Popular Names: Creeping crowfoot, buttercup weed
Plant Height: 6-18 inches
Identification: Creeping Buttercup is a weed that can be identified by its small, yellow flowers and three-lobed leaves. The stems of the weed are slender and creeping, which allows it to spread quickly. It is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America where it can become an invasive species if allowed to grow unchecked. When identifying creeping buttercup, it’s important to note that the plant may contain toxins that can cause skin irritation or other reactions if touched or eaten.
Henbit
Scientific Name: Lamium amplexicaule
Other Popular Names: Deadnettle, purple dead-nettle
Plant Height: 4-12 inches
Identification: Henbit is a weed that can be identified by its square stems and dark green leaves with toothed edges. The flowers of the weed are usually purplish in color and grow in clusters at the tip of each stem. It has small hairs on its leaves which can cause skin irritation if touched. Henbit grows quickly during springtime but will die off once summer arrives. It is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America where it can become an invasive species if allowed to grow unchecked.
Purslane
Scientific Name: Portulaca oleracea
Other Popular Names: Verdolaga, little hogweed, pigweed
Plant Height: 2-6 inches
Identification: Purslane is a weed that can be identified by its succulent, fleshy leaves and stems. The leaves are usually oval or spoon-shaped with a reddish tinge at the edges. The flowers of the plant are yellow or pink in color and appear in clusters at the ends of the stems. The oxalic acid of purslane can cause skin irritation if touched and should be handled with caution. Purslane can reproduce quickly and, if left unchecked, can become an invasive species.
Canada Goldenrod
Scientific Name: Solidago canadensis
Other Popular Names: Canadian goldenrod, common golden rod
Plant Height: 3-6 feet
Identification: Canada Goldenrod is a weed that can be identified by its bright yellow flowers and lance-shaped leaves. The weed typically blooms in late summer to early fall and grows quickly in disturbed soils. It produces large amounts of pollen which can cause allergies or asthma in some people who are sensitive to it. It has also been known to become invasive if allowed to grow unchecked.
Wild Radish
Scientific Name: Raphanus raphanistrum
Other Popular Names: Jointed charlock, wild mustard
Plant Height: 2-3 feet
Identification: Wild Radish is a weed that can be identified by its yellow four-petaled flowers and pinnately divided leaves. The flowers typically have a strong odor and the plant produces seeds when it blooms. Caution should be exercised as this plant may contain toxins that provoke dermal reactions or other more severe adverse effects if touched or ingested.
Yellow Nutsedge
Scientific Name: Cyperus esculentus
Other Popular Names: Chufa sedge, nut grass
Plant Height: 2-3 feet
Identification: Yellow Nutsedge is a weed that can be identified by its yellow flowers and long, pointed leaves. The plant typically grows in clusters and has triangular, tubular stems that are often wider at the base than at the tip. Additionally, the plant has small nuts which can cause skin irritation if handled with bare hands. Yellow Nutsedge is an aggressive weed and should be controlled before it spreads.
Common Ragwort
Scientific Name: Senecio jacobaea
Other Popular Names: Stinking willie, ragweed
Plant Height: 3-4 feet
Identification: Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is a member of the Asteraceae family and is native to Europe. It is an invasive species in North America, where it is often found in pastures, meadows, and roadsides. Common Ragwort is a biennial plant that can grow up to 1.5 m in height. The leaves are lobed and the flowers are yellow. This plant reproduces by seed and the seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years. Common Ragwort is poisonous to horses, cattle, and other grazing animals and can cause liver damage if ingested. Humans can also be affected if they eat large quantities of plants.
Yellow Rocket
Scientific Name: Barbarea vulgaris
Other Popular Names: Herb Barbara, winter cress
Plant Height: 1-3 feet
Identification: Yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) is a winter annual with yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves. It is often found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides and fields. This plant can be a nuisance in gardens because it readily self-seeds. While the leaves and flowers of the yellow rockets are edible, they can be quite bitter. To identify yellow rockets, look for plants with yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves.
Marsh Yellowcress
Scientific Name: Rorippa palustris
Other Popular Names: Yellow marsh cress, lake cress
Plant Height: 6-18 inches
Identification: Marsh yellowcress (Rorippa Islandica) is a small, delicate flowering plant that is found in marshes and other wetland habitats. It has yellow flowers and leaves that are often tinged with red or purple. The plant can be identified by its small size, yellow flowers, and red or purple leaves.
Yellow Salsify
Scientific Name: Tragopogon dubius
Other Popular Names: Goatsbeard, oxtongue
Plant Height: 2-3 feet
Identification: Yellow Salsify can be found in open fields and meadows, as well as in disturbed habitats such as roadsides and waste areas. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. The plant grows best in moist soil but can also tolerate dry conditions. To identify Yellow Salsify, look for its characteristic yellow flowers. The stem of the plant can grow up to 1 meter tall, and the leaves are long and narrow with pointed tips.
Common St. John’s-Wort
Scientific Name: Hypericum perforatum
Other Popular Names: Klamath weed, goatweed
Plant Height: 2-3 feet
Identification: Common St. John’s-Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a herbaceous perennial plant with yellow flowers and black dots. It is native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced to North America, where it is now widely distributed. The plant grows to a height of 1-2 m and has opposite, oblong leaves that are 10-20 cm long. The flowers have five petals and are 15-20 mm in diameter. They bloom from June to August.
Lesser Celandine
Scientific Name: Ranunculus ficaria
Other Popular Names: Fig buttercup, pilewort
Plant Height: 4-6 inches
Identification: Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) is a low-growing, herbaceous plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to North America, where it is now considered to be an invasive species. Lesser celandine typically grows in damp, shady areas and can be found in woods, hedgerows, and along streams. The plant has glossy, dark green leaves and small, yellow flowers that bloom from February to April.
Yellow Sorrel
Scientific Name: Oxalis stricta
Other Popular Names: Sheep sorrel, red sorrel
Plant Height: 6-18 inches
Identification: Yellow sorrel (Oxalis stricta) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Oxalidaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, but it has been introduced to North America, where it is now common in many states and provinces. The plant grows to 30 cm (12 in) tall and has small yellow flowers that bloom in summer. The leaves are trifoliate, meaning they have three leaflets. The leaflets are ovate or heart-shaped and have sharply toothed margins. Yellow sorrel is a common weed in lawns and gardens, and it can be difficult to control because it spreads rapidly through rhizomes (underground stems).
Cypress Spurge
Scientific Name: Euphorbia cyparissias
Other Popular Names: Cypress Spurge, Cemetery Spurge
Plant Height: 6-18 inches
Identification: The Cypress Spurge is a perennial herb that can be found in damp woods and shady areas. It has dark green leaves and yellow-green flowers. The plant gets its name from the spur-like structures on the tips of its leaves. These spurs contain a poisonous sap that can cause irritation to the skin. The sap is also used as an insecticide. The best way to identify Cypress Spurge is by its leaves. The leaves are alternate, oblong, and have serrated edges. They are dark green in color with yellow-green flowers. The plant can grow up to two feet tall and has a woody stem. Cypress Spurge can be found in damp woods and shady areas throughout North America.
Creeping Cinquefoil
Scientific Name: Potentilla reptans
Other Popular Names: Creeping Tormentil, Mountain Avens
Plant Height: 2-6 inches
Identification: Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) is a low-growing, spreading plant that is common in pastures, meadows, and waste areas. It is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae) and is related to other common plants such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Creeping cinquefoil has two types of leaves – basal leaves which are long-stalked and deeply lobed, and stem leaves which are small and stalkless. The flowers are yellow and have five petals. They are borne singly or in clusters at the end of the stems. The fruit is a small dry capsule containing several seeds. To identify Creeping Cinquefoil, look for a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to 20-30 cm (8-12 in) tall with pinnate leaves 15-20 cm (6-8 in) long, each leaflet 3-5 cm (1-2 in) long. The flowers are yellow, 5-6 mm (0.2-0.24 in) in diameter, and have five petals. The fruit is achene.
Skeleton weed
Scientific Name: Chondrilla juncea
Other Popular Names: Rush skeleton weed
Plant Height: 6-18 inches
Identification: Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) is a noxious weed that infests both crops and rangeland. It is difficult to control because it can produce thousands of seeds per plant which remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years. The plant also has a deep taproot that makes it resistant to drought and herbicides. To identify skeleton weeds, look for plants with long, narrow leaves that are covered in small, sharp spines. The flowers are yellow and clustered at the end of the stem. The plant can grow up to 2 feet tall. If you suspect you have found skeleton weed on your property, contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance in confirming the identification and developing a management plan.
