Pointer plants play a special role in overgrown former pastures, old, no longer used garden areas or in natural locations. Before a green area is reclaimed, the wild plants growing there should be examined more closely. They give an indication of whether the area is suitable for the planned planting, how it should be prepared and whether the soil needs to be improved.
Definition of pointer plants
- must have grown wild
- the more plants of a species have settled, the more likely it is to say something about the soil
- some pointer plants have multiple meanings
- if the soil changes, so does the diversity of plants
Pointer plants from A to E
Field thistle(Cirsium arvense)
Although this plant is mainly native to fields and overgrown areas, it can also gain a foothold in the garden if it finds optimal conditions. Its characteristics are the thorny leaves and the small purple flowers, which are often visited by insects. Where the field thistle stands in dense associations, the soil is often loamy and deep. The thistle has tap roots that can penetrate the ground to a depth of over 2 m if the location is suitable.
Field horsetail(Equisetum arvense)
Large groups of these horsetail are found on damp roadsides, in ditches or on marshy meadows. The plants have long, green shoots, but no leaves. Rhizomes are formed underground and branch deep into the ground. Where the field horsetail is common, the soil is loamy, damp or wet and often also compacted. It is difficult for other plants to thrive in such locations, but the meadow foam herb can also do so in spring (Cardamine pratensis) with its small purple flowers can be found there.
Note: The related forest horsetail (E. sylvaticum) is considered a pointer plant for wet soil in the forest, it also occurs on the edges of swamps.
Field pansy(Viola arvensis)
This small, wild form of the
Field winch(Convolvulus arvensis)
It forms small, white to pink funnel-shaped flowers and likes to wind its way up other plants or fences. The winch is considered a stubborn field weed because of its resilience and the branching network of roots. Where it has spread, the soil is loose, rich in nitrogen, and loamy. If the wind grows in the garden, it can quickly overgrow entire beds.
Big nettle(Urtica dioica)
This well-known weed forms dense, matted clumps in locations that suit it, which are difficult to remove. Where the nettle occurs, the soil is often nitrogen-rich and wet, and sometimes over-fertilized. The following pointer plants also feel good in similar, drier locations:
- dandelion (Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia)
- Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
- Chickweed (Stellaria media)
- Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Speedwell species(Veronica)
They are all characterized by small, inconspicuous blue flowers. The herb itself is also quite small. The individual species often appear on soils that are loamy and saturated with nitrogen. These soil properties are also preferred by other plants, which therefore often grow in competition with vegetables or field plants:
- Shepherd's purse (Capsella)
- burdock (Arctium)
- Cornflower (Cyanus segetum)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- Midsummer milkweed (Euphorbia helioscopia)
- Dead nettle species (Lamium)
Pointer plants from F to H
French herb(Galinsoga parviflora)
Because of its small, round flowers, this plant is also called button herb. French herb
Goose thistle(Sonchus)
This plant is also one of the typical field weeds and likes to settle near nutrient-rich places that are fertilized with nitrogen. As with many thistles, the weeds are difficult to get rid of, especially in the garden. Although this thistle does not have tap roots, it does have rhizomes that can sprout again from each section. Chamomile species also like to grow in the same locations (Matricaria and Tripleurospermum). Especially the radiationless one (M. discoidea) or the odorless chamomile (T. inodorum).
Giersch(Aegopodium podagraria)
Although the leaves of this plant are edible and very tasty, ground grass is a very stubborn weed that spreads quickly and gets along well in shady locations. In addition to shade, Giersch also indicates wet, loamy and nitrogenous places. If these are shady green areas, other plants can be found there:
- Ferns
- Mosses
- Wood sorrel (especially on soils that are also acidic)
Note: Acid soil in the forest is also indicated by wood sorrel (oxalis).
Coltsfoot(Tussilago farfara)
This yellow flowering sunflower is one of the first spring plants. Even before the leaves, the flowers appear on long stalks. The coltsfoot spreads in places that are dry, warm, loamy, and rocky. In addition, the soil usually has a higher lime content. If the plant appears in large numbers on fallow land, the coltsfoot is called and shows alternately humid locations, some of which fall completely dry and some of which lead to waterlogging tend.
Pointer plants from K to W
Corn poppy(Papaver rhoeas)
In the past, this beautiful flower was often found next to cornflowers at the edges of fields and is by definition a field weed. Today the red-flowering plant is much rarer, but can spread widely in suitable soil and without competitive pressure. This is especially true in warm, well-fertilized, loamy and calcareous locations. In the same places, with additional stony soil, mullein (Verbascum) can also stretch their imposing inflorescences. The annual or perennial perennial flowers yellow.
Species of clover(Trifolium)
Especially hare-clover (T. arvense) and white clover (T. repens) can be pointer plants by definition. They often grow in locations that are rich in nitrogen, but sometimes just the opposite, i.e. on poor soils, where they can form dense stands. While the pressure of competition from other plants is great on well-fertilized soils, clover can affect itself poor soils because of its ability to store nitrogen itself, against other crops push through. Klee also indicates compacted soils.
creeping buttercup(Ranunculus repens)
- Bedstraw (Galium verum)
- Flat pea (Lathyrus)
Hot stonecrop(Sedum acre)
This small plant, also called the stonecrop, is often grown in gardens. However, it also grows wild and prefers dry, calcareous soils. It also occurs on stony ground and needs very little soil to grow, which is why it is often used for greening roofs or dry stone walls.
Couch grass(Elymus)
These weeds are very unpopular with gardeners because they are not only difficult to remove, they also sprout from every section of its rhizomes. In addition, it can spread through seeds. It makes do with sandy to loamy soils and also likes to grow in compacted locations, as the roots do not extend too deep into the earth. The only thing that the couch grass doesn't get so well is shade, which is why it prefers to grow in the sun.
sorrel(Rumex)
The great sorrel (R. acetosa) Above all, it is considered to be difficult to remove pasture weeds, as it multiplies where a particularly large amount of nitrogen enters the soil. In addition, with its large leaves it succeeds in displacing other plants. The little sorrel (R. acetosella), which can also be used as a lettuce plant, also likes to grow on nutrient-rich soils that are also acidic and sandy. However, both plants can also thrive in loamy soil.
Plantain species(Plantago)
There are several species of plantain, of which the (P. lanceolata) and the common plantain (P. major) the most well-known are. They are sometimes used as medicinal plants and occur in locations that are nitrogen-rich, sandy to loamy and calcareous. The rosette plants also grow well on compacted soils. They can often be found at the wayside.
Wild teasel(Dipsacus fullonum)
This plant is no longer often found where it grows, but it can form larger stands. It is characterized by its size and the purple inflorescences that bumblebees like to visit. The wild teasel grows in places that are stony and rich in lime and that have also been fertilized with nitrogen.
Wild carrot(Daucus carota subsp. carota)
The wild relative of the cultivated carrot has similar leaves to these, but forms some more or less long flower stalks with umbellate flowers. The smell of the crushed carrot helps to distinguish the wild carrot from other umbelliferous plants Leaves that are reminiscent of carrots and, on the other hand, the white umbels in the middle have a dark color Blossom. The biennial herb grows on loose, sandy and stony soils, where it can push its roots to a depth of 60 cm.