Lepyrodiclis (Lepyrodiclis holosteoides (C.A. Mey.) Fenzl ex Fisch. & C.A. Mey.)

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Description and Variation:   Lepyrodiclis is a member of the Pink family with a prostrate habit except when given something to climb upon. The slender weak stems may sprawl or grow upright, and range from 16 to 40 inches long. The branched stems cluster at the base of the plant and are weakly attached to the root. The leaves are lance-shaped and the flowers are broadly egg-shaped with white or pink petals. Each flower produces a capsule containing two to four seeds. The seeds are about 1/16 inch in diameter, tightly rolled, with a slightly rough surface.

Economic Importance:  Lepyrodiclis infests grain and pea fields where it grows up and over crops forming a canopy that shades the crop from sun.

Geographical Distribution:  In Washington lepyrodiclis is known only from Whitman County.

Habitat:  Lepyrodiclis occurs in grain fields and pea fields.

History:  The first record of lepyrodiclis is from the extreme southern end of its current known distribution. Since it was first found in 1959, it has been reported progressively northward, following the geographical distribution of green pea production.

Growth and Development:  Lepyrodiclis is an annual plant.

Reproduction:  Lepyrodiclis reproduces by seeds only.

Response to Herbicides:  No herbicides are currently registered for lepyrodiclis control. Contact the Whitman County Noxious Weed Control Board for control information.

Response to Cultural Methods:  Prevent lepyrodiclis from spreading throughout a field by avoiding spot infestations during tillage and harvest. For small patches, pull, bag, and burn all lepyrodiclis plants, taking care not to lose plant parts containing seed. Tillage can be used to kill lepyrodiclis in patches that are too large for economical hand removal. Delineate the spot and record it on a field map so that subsequent treatments are applied to the entire infested spot. Treatment should extend at least 20 feet beyond the bounday of the observed plants to lessen the chance of additional plants establishing from stray seed. Since lepyrodiclis has not been seen in native rangeland adjacent to infested fields, grass competition may help suppress it. Established grass stands can be treated with selective broadleaf herbicides that control lepyrodiclis.

Biocontrol Potentials:  None known.

References:

Roche' Cindy T., Richard R. Old, Robert H. Callihan, and Chris Boerboom, 1990. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication PNW349.