What is this plant?

[VA_Bowhunter]

Can anyone name this new growth of 6 weeks? It does NOT look like Chicory to me!

 

[VA_Bowhunter]

If you zoom in. You can see the detail on the leaves. They are grainy.

 

[swat1018]

Chickweed, maybe?

 

[Native Hunter]

98% sure it's Ground Ivy (aka Creeping Charlie).

When they first emerge Charlie and Henbit look almost the same, so I suppose it could also be Henbit. In a short time they are easy to tell apart. Henbit's leaves become more distinct and the plant is more erect.

I consider them both troublesome weeds in a food plot unless the plot species come in thick and shade them out. Neither gets very tall so that is a good thing.

 

[dogghr]

Pretty sure that is the same Creeeping Charlie that I deal with. You can control it for a while, but will eventually take over. Only way I was able to get it our of a perennial clover plot was to rotate rye and brassica plots for a few years. It does grow short, but over comes clover. But it took about 5 years before it was a real problem.

 

[VA_Bowhunter]

Thanks guys. Damn shame if it's that. I brought the seed bank up to the surface, let whatever was going to grow come up 3 times this spring and summer and nuked it every time. I guess the final discing before sowing my clover and chicory brought up this chickweed.

 

[VA_Bowhunter]

I really hope since I planted in the fall/September, that a luscious, thick, plot of clover and one of chicory will surprise me in the spring! If it does I can keep all the weeds at bay. Select herbicides and my new deal with the neighbor with the tractor and mower, I should be ok. Fingers crossed for greenery in spring though.

 

[Cap'n]

Im not really familiar with creeping charlie but Henbit is a member if the mint family and will have a square stem. If your weed doesnt then it may be creeping charlie. Henbit of course will also produce a purple flower in the spring.

 

[VA_Bowhunter]

Thanks! Does Henbit give off any minty smell if you tear up its leaf? If so I wonder if deer eat it? Then I don't have to worry about killing it.