Griping About Gripeweed

It is about this time of year that gripeweed, also known as chamberbitter, begins to flourish in Louisiana lawns and gardens. I used to like gripeweed when I was young, because when touched, the leaves fold in on themselves. Gripeweed fascinated me. Now, it infuriates me. (Well, not really. That was just a nice parallel. If I truly got infuriated by gripeweed, I’d need blood pressure medication. I save all my infuriation for stink bugs.)

Oh, gripes. Image credit: wynnslawncare.com

Gripeweed is not picky. Shade? Loves it. Sun? Loves it. Garden beds? Loves them. Lawns? Loves them. Lots of love, this gripeweed has to give. Technically, it’s an annual herb, actually, so do we do it justice with such an ugly name? Yes. Yes, we do.

Though not prone to grow very tall, a maximum no more than two feet above the ground, gripeweed can spread very fast. The main reason for its healthy proliferation is the location of the gripeweed’s seeds, which are found on the underside of leaves.

Looks from above like they don’t bear seeds? Look again. Image credit: nola.com

Bonus trivia: Some people look to farm animals like horses and cows for natural weed control, because the animals munch on the greens. In the case of gripeweed, though, the seeds can pass right through the animals and still make new weeds. Yum!

Many people turn to pesticides to control gripeweed and any other unwanted visitors, and they report satisfying results. But I am trying my best to grow edibles like fruits, vegetables, and herbs. I know that there are some insecticides and pesticides ruled safe for such plants, but by my own preference, I do not spray. I try to use natural preventative measures, like mulching, and I go with reactionary defenses like hand-to-hand combat, pulling weeds and swatting pests about as gracelessly and sweatfully as it sounds.  In those zenlike moments, like when I am heartily cursing the newborn caterpillars munching on my basil, I swear I will tear it all down. But a handful of freshly picked blueberries has a way of changing things and making all the gripes melt away. (But not the gripeweed, too, unfortunately.)