Have you ever wondered where weed names come from? Not the scientific name, the common name. For instance, no one is giving much thought to Amaranthus retroflexus, but you have to wonder why it’s called pigweed? And how did Erigeron canadensis become horseweed? Is it a food thing? Do pigs love pigweed and horses love horseweed? Not exactly. Pigs will eat pigweed, but horses avoid horseweed unless it’s mixed into their hay.
The answer could be related to the edibility of the weeds though: both can be toxic to their namesakes. Pigs rarely eat enough pigweed for it to poison them, but it can happen, resulting in renal failure. Horseweed can be toxic to a horse, especially when ingested in large amounts. It contains an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1 in the body, which helps to turn food into energy and strengthens the immune system.
The two weeds share another thing in common: resistance. Horseweed was one of the first weeds in the U.S. to be found developing a resistance to glyphosate, and pigweed wasn’t far behind. Enter LV MAX Fast-Acting Weed Killer from Gordon’s®. LV MAX controls more than 90 broadleaf weeds, including ground ivy, thistle, bindweed, and of course, horseweed and pigweed. It’s labeled for use in lawns, pastures, and non-cropland areas, and LV MAX delivers visible results in as little as six hours.
