If you are getting confused by the Weeds That Look Like Squash Plants – this article will help you pick them out positively!
Identifying Weeds That Look Like Squash Plants in your garden can be tough due to their striking resemblance to squash in leaf shape, size, and color. Don’t worry! We are here to help you identify them easily!
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Weeds That Look Like Squash Plant
1. Black Nightshade
Botanical Name: Solanum nigrum
This common weed features broad, heart-like leaves that look similar to squash but are smaller and have a smoother texture.
2. Buffalo Bur
Botanical Name: Solanum rostratum
Its leaves are spiny and lobed, resembling the rough texture of squash leaves. However, they are generally more elongated and pointed.
3. Bur Cucumber
Botanical Name: Sicyos angulatus
While squash leaves are large and somewhat coarse, the leaves of bur cucumber are thinner and more delicate, with a slightly rough texture.
Pro Tip to Identify: The veins on bur cucumber leaves are more pronounced, adding to their distinct appearance.
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4. Carolina Horsenettle
Botanical Name: Solanum carolinense
This plant’s leaves are lobed like squash but are a lot thinner. You can also make them out easily by the serration on the edges.
5. Cocklebur
Botanical Name: Xanthium strumarium
The leaves of the cocklebur are broad and heart-like, very much like that of squash, but they have a rougher, hairier surface.
6. Common Lambsquarters
Botanical Name: Chenopodium album
The foliage of this plant has a broad base, which looks very much like the shape of squash leaves but is usually lighter in color and has a mealy texture.
7. Giant Ragweed
Botanical Name: Ambrosia trifida
Its leaves are deeply lobed and can be mistaken for squash. However, you can make out the difference by the size (They are larger than squash) and have a rougher texture.
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8. Ground Cherry
Botanical Name: Physalis spp.
The leaves of this weed are heart-shaped with smooth edges, resembling young squash leaves, but are generally smaller and more delicate.
9. Hairy Nightshade
Botanical Name: Solanum sarrachoides
Like Black Nightshade, its leaves are heart-shaped and can be confused with squash. You can easily spot this one out, thanks to the hairy surface.
10. Jimsonweed
Botanical Name: Datura stramonium
This weed has large, broad leaves with deep lobes, similar to squash, but they are often more elongated and have a wavy margin.
11. Manroot
Botanical Name: Marah oreganus
Manroot vine comes from the Cucurbitaceae family and is a relative of squash plants with similar leaves and appearance. You can make it out with its small white flowers, though.
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12. Morning Glory
Botanical Name: Ipomoea spp.
Some Morning Glories are often mistaken for squash plants because they have lobed leaves. However, those flowers! Well, you can pick these out from miles!
13. Velvetleaf
Botanical Name: Abutilon theophrasti
Its leaves are heart-shaped and slightly velvety to the touch, similar to squash leaves, but are usually larger and have a more distinct texture.
14. Wild Cucumber
Botanical Name: Echinocystis lobata
This plant features broad, triangular leaves that can resemble squash leaves, but they are thinner and more delicate.
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How to Identify a Squash Plant?
The next time you’re unsure, look out for these things to know if you have a squash plant or a look-alike weed.
- Size: Squash plants come in many sizes with small or large fruits. They’re typically 1-3 feet tall and 3-10 feet wide.
- Leaves: The leaves of a squash are large and lobed. They can be smooth, ridged, or warty, but they will be heavily lobed.
- Fruit: If you find a round, block, elongated, or necked fruit attached to the plant, it means it’s a squash. It may be small or large.
