Knowledgebase

Yellow flowers turning to burrs #876257

Asked July 07, 2024, 11:43 PM EDT

Hi , I’m in ludington but this might be state wide issue. Recently there have been yellow ground cover type flowers popping up in town. Now they seem to be changing to burrs. I might be imagining this but they may be along the path of recent fiber optic cable tunnels . So is it caused by the trenching awakening seeds from decades ago or are they reseeding the damaged easement with contaminated mix and spreading some type of grass burr state wide? I thought maybe our street sweeper was spreading something along the easement but it could be the fiber guys . Is there a way you can ask every office if they are suddenly seeing yellow ground flowers turning into burrs and let the state know what needs to be done and if each city needs to be warmed or hold up on fiber trenching until it’s figured out

Mason County Michigan

Expert Response

Unfortunately, I can't identify a plant without a photo. Can you attach a couple photos to a reply? I would like to see the whole plant and then a close up image of the flower and/or burr. 

MSU Extension is not a regulatory agency. If you can send in images, we can properly identify the plant and report an invasive species to the proper authorities if necessary.  

Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers) Replied July 08, 2024, 10:30 AM EDT
Sure  as they dry out they get prickly 
Inline image

Inline image

Inline image





On Monday, July 8, 2024, 10:30 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 5:35 PM EDT
A casual drive east of town I found it at 403 s Main Street in Scottville.  That looks like a commercially cut lawn.Inline image

Inline image

Inline image

Inline image

Thanks again 



On Monday, July 8, 2024, 10:30 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 7:02 PM EDT

It looks like Sedum acre. It's a tough plant, needs no care, and spreads quickly. Some people might be planting it on the easement (space between sidewalk and road) in place of grass. You can imagine that someone who doesn't want to take care of a lawn might plant it on purpose. It's commonly used in hanging baskets and other potted succulent arrangements. However, it can easily escape a yard/garden. 

You can read about it on the Midwest Invasive Species Network website. I highly recommend making an account and reporting your sightings through that website. 

Sedum acre is not classified as invasive in Michigan. You reporting it might contribute to legislators listing it. 

Sedum acre spreads by seeds and by cuttings. I'm guessing that it is being spread by commercial lawn mowing companies. If a fragment or seed gets stuck on mower blades or a man's boots, it can then accidentally be moved to a new property and start growing. 

Here is an article about controlling it in a lawn

Please take the time to report the locations that you see it to MISIN. Citizen scientists like you can make a difference! 

Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers) Replied July 10, 2024, 11:56 AM EDT
Thanks.  Yeah it’s probably sedum which is better than some sand burr variant.  I just spotted some along  s business us 31 7500 block in summit township.  Then some more along a guard rail closer to hart ( ware twp)?

Thanks again I think the fiber crews spread it first as it’s right where their machine was located for a few days on my neighbors lawns then moved with street sweepers along all the curbs unless a car was parked there .   

Thank for the reporting agency info

Mark



On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 11:56 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 1:14 PM EDT

Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled! We appreciate you being aware and reporting things like this. 

Take care. 

Lindsey K. Kerr, MS, MHP (she, her, hers) Replied July 10, 2024, 1:24 PM EDT

Loading ...