Weed With Purple Flowers

There are several kinds of weeds that produce purple flowers. If you see a plant with purple flowers that you suspect is a weed, here are some common examples:

1. Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule)

• Description: Henbit is a member of the mint family and has small, tubular purple flowers and round, scalloped leaves.
• Habitat: Often found in lawns, gardens, and waste areas, especially in early spring.
• Identification Features: Square stems, opposite leaves, and flowers that grow in clusters at the top of the plant.

2. Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum)

• Description: Closely related to Henbit, Purple Deadnettle also has purple flowers but features more prominently purplish foliage, especially at the top of the plant.
• Habitat: Common in gardens, disturbed soils, and waste areas.
• Identification Features: Triangular leaves, with the upper leaves having a reddish or purplish tint, and square stems.

3. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)

• Description: Also known as Ground Ivy, it has small, bluish-purple flowers and a creeping growth habit that allows it to form dense mats.
• Habitat: Prefers shady, moist areas and is often found in lawns and gardens.
• Identification Features: Kidney-shaped leaves with scalloped edges, and stems that root at the nodes.

4. Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

• Description: This weed produces spikes of small, tubular purple flowers and is sometimes found in lawns and wild areas.
• Habitat: Can grow in both cultivated and wild areas, often favoring moist, partly shaded conditions.
• Identification Features: Its leaves are lance-shaped and grow opposite each other on the stem, flowers are arranged in a dense, cylindrical cluster.

5. Common Mallow (Malva neglecta)

• Description: While not always considered a weed, its fast-growing nature and tendency to spread can make it invasive. It produces small, purple to pinkish flowers.
• Habitat: Common in lawns, gardens, and disturbed areas.
• Identification Features: Round leaves with a wrinkled texture, and flowers that emerge from the leaf axils.

6. Vetch (Vicia spp.)

• Description: Vetch is a climbing or sprawling weed that produces clusters of small purple flowers and belongs to the legume family.
• Habitat: Often found in fields, along roadsides, and in other disturbed areas.
• Identification Features: Compound leaves with tendrils that allow it to climb, and pea-like flowers.

7. Wild Violet (Viola spp.)

• Description: While often appreciated for their beauty, in some settings wild violets can become invasive.
• Habitat: Prefers shady, moist areas, but can also be found in lawns and gardens.
• Identification Features: Heart-shaped leaves and delicate, five-petaled flowers.

Each of these weeds has distinctive features, so examining the plant carefully will help in correctly identifying it. If you’re unsure, you could consult a local extension service or use a plant identification app for more precise identification.