Common Weeds of Subcontinent (Pakistan & India)

Weeds are unwanted plants which are harmful for the normal crops. Weeds are also defined as a plant out of its proper place. Weeds are having impact on agriculture through reduction in crop yields and quality. Weeds are be controlled through various weed management strategies, such as prevention, control and eradication (to read click here). However, weeds also have some beneficial uses.

Here is a common list of weeds in subcontinent (Pakistan / India);

Botanical Name	Vernacular Name	Common Name	Family	Season	Description
Chenopodium album	Lamb's Quarters	Bathu, باتھو	Amaranthaceae	Rabi	Common weed in cultivated fields during the Rabi season, competing with crops such as wheat, barley, and mustard. Propagates by seeds.
Avena fatua	Wild Oat	Jangli Jai, جنگلی جئ	Poaceae	Rabi	Common weed in fields, especially in wheat and barley crops during the Rabi season. Competes for nutrients and reduces crop yields. Propagates by seeds.
Asphodelus tenuifolius	Wild Onion	Piazi, پیازی	Asphodelaceae	Rabi	Locally known as Piazi, it is a serious weed of rabi crops, specially wheat. Its an annual herb, reproduced by bulb and seeds. Its leaves are just like onion.
Cichorium intybus	Chicory, Blue Daisy, Blue Dandelion, Blue Sailors, Blue Weed, Bunk, Coffeeweed, Hendibeh, Horseweed	Tukhm-e-Kasni, تخم کاسنی	Asteraceae	Rabi	Found in fields and waste areas, competing with crops like wheat, barley, and vegetables during the Rabi season. Propagates by seeds and rhizomes.
Trigonella polycerata	Wild Fenugreek	Maini, میانی	Fabaceae	Rabi	Found in cultivated fields, particularly in fenugreek and other pulse crops during the Rabi season. Competes for nutrients and water. Propagates by seeds.
Chenopodium murale	Nettleleaf Goosefoot, Australian-spinach, salt-green, and sowbane	Batto or Karund, کرنڈ	Amaranthaceae	Rabi	Common in cultivated fields and waste areas, especially during the Rabi season. Competes with crops like wheat, barley, and mustard. Propagates by seeds.
Saponaria vaccaria L. syn. Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert	Cowherb, cowcockle, cow basil, cow soapwort, and prairie carnation	Kala Takla, کالا تکلا	Caryophyllaceae	Rabi	Common weed in fields and disturbed areas, competing with crops during the Rabi season. Propagates by seeds.
Fumaria parviflora	Pugsley, Fine-leaved Fumitory	Barg e Shahtra, برگ شاہترہ	Papaveraceae	Rabi	Found in cultivated fields, competing with crops like wheat, barley, and vegetables during the Rabi season. Propagates by seeds.
Carthamus oxyacantha	Wild Safflower, Jeweled Distaff Thistle	Pholi or Kareza, پھولی/ کریزہ	Asteraceae	Rabi	Common in safflower fields, competing with the crop during the Rabi season. Propagates by seeds.
Digitaria spp.	Crabgrass	Angli Ghaas, انگلی گھاس	Poaceae	Kharif	Found predominantly during the Kharif season, competing with crops like maize, rice, and sorghum. Propagates by seeds and spreads rapidly in warm, humid conditions.
Commelina benghalensis	Benghal Dayflower, Tropical Spiderwort	Kana, کانہ	Commelinaceae	Kharif	Common during the Kharif season, competing with crops like rice, maize, and vegetables. Propagates by seeds and thrives in warm, moist conditions.
Sorghum halepense	Johnsongrass	Dadam or Baru Grass, بارو گھاس	Poaceae	Kharif	Found in fields, particularly in sorghum and other crops during the Kharif season. Competes for nutrients and water. Propagates by seeds and rhizomes.
Boerhaavia repens	Spreading Hogweed	Itsit or Inset, اٹ سٹ	Nyctaginaceae	Kharif	Common in fields and waste areas, especially during the Kharif season. Competes with various crops. Propagates by seeds and rhizomes.
Orobanche nicotianae	Tobacco Broomrape	Sozigul or Khumb, خومب	Orobanchaceae	Kharif	Parasitic weed found in tobacco fields, negatively impacting crop yields during the Kharif season. Lacks chlorophyll and relies on host plants for nutrients.
Parthenium hysterophorus	Congress Grass, Famine plant	Carrot Grass or Gajari Booti, گاجری بوٹی	Asteraceae	Kharif	Highly invasive weed found in fields, wastelands, and roadsides. Competes with crops like maize, rice, and vegetables. Propagates by seeds. Thrives in warm climates.
Eichhornia crassipes	Water Hyacinth, Lilac devil, Nile lily, water orchid	Makhana, مکھانا	Pondederiaceae	Both	Aquatic weed that infests water bodies, obstructing irrigation canals and impacting crops like rice. Propagates rapidly through vegetative growth and seed dispersal.
Amaranthus spinosus	Spiny Amaranth, Thorny Amaranth	Kantalo, Dhimdo, کنتالو	Amaranthaceae	Both	Competes with crops like cotton, maize, rice, and vegetables during both Rabi and Kharif seasons. Propagates by seeds. Thrives in various soil types.
Euphorbia hirta	Asthma Weed	Lal dodhak, لال دودھک	Euphorbiaceae	Both	Found year-round, particularly during the Kharif season, affecting crops like maize, rice, cotton, and vegetables. Propagates by seeds and thrives in sunny locations.
Cyperus rotundus L.	Nutgrass, Nutsedge grass	Dila or Nagar Motha, ڈیلا	Cyperaceae	Both	Perennial weed commonly found year-round, but particularly problematic during the Kharif season. Competes with crops like sugarcane, maize, rice, and vegetables.
Cynodon dactylon L.	Bermuda Grass	Khabbal, کھببل	Poaceae	Both	Found year-round, affecting crops like cotton, maize, and vegetables, as well as lawns and gardens. Propagates through seeds and aggressive rhizome growth.
Ageratum conyzoides	Billygoat Weed	Baccha, بچا	Asteraceae	Both	Found during both Rabi and Kharif seasons, impacting crops like rice, maize, sorghum, and vegetables. Propagates by seeds and forms dense colonies.