Annual mercury (Mercurialis annua)

Scientific name:

Mercurialis annua L.

Common Name:

Annual mercury, mercury weed

Habitat:

Common habitats are gardens, arable land, vineyards; rubbish tips; on soils rich in nutrients, in light and moderately warm situations up to montane level. In California it is noted as a weed of agriculture in disturbed habitats (CALFLORA 2007). In Hungary, where the weed has significantly extended it area of infestation, it is mostly known in cropping situations (maize and winter wheat, sugar beet and carrot) and ruderal areas (Magyar 2003). Where it occurs north east of Melbourne (Victoria), it is most commonly associated with a creek corridor in a nature reserve, but is also known to be present in local gardens.

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