Oxtongue

Hawksbeard (Crepis capillaris) is a common annual or biennial weed found throughout New Zealand in turf, lawns, crops and newly sown pasture. Hawksbeard has a rosette form while vegetative but grows up to 45 cm when flowering. It is often confused with dandelion but is distinctive in having multiple, branched flower stems.

Nipplewort (Lapsana communis) is an annual that grows to 1 m in height, it has a spindly appearance with few hairs, and a milky sap. The stem branches widely on the upper part of the plant, and the leaves are slender, toothed and sometimes hairy. The flowers grow in clusters, are a pale yellow, and appear between December and March. They are small and numerous, and only open in sunlight, closing in the afternoon. Found throughout New Zealand, except in Westland (South Island) and Taranaki (North Island) in gardens, cultivated areas, and shady areas on footpaths, and at the edges of forests.

Spurrey (Spergula arvensis) is a fine-stemmed, sprawling annual weed which is commonly found throughout New Zealand. It can often grow dense. Severely competing with and smother crop seedlings and establishing pastures. Spurrey germinates in the autumn and spring.