Bindii
Soliva sessilis
A low-growing annual weed with finely divided leaves. It grows over winter and forms prickly burrs in spring, so the time to deal with it is before it seeds.
Also called: Bindi, Bindy, Jo-jo, Lawn burweed
- Type
- Broadleaf
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Usually seen
- Winter and spring.
Short answer
Bindii is a low, feathery-leaved annual weed that grows through winter and forms prickly burrs in spring. Deal with it in winter, while plants are small: dig them out, or spot spray with a selective herbicide whose label lists bindii and your grass type. Once burrs have formed, the next generation is already on its way.
Overview
Bindii (Soliva sessilis) is the weed behind most “prickles in the lawn” complaints. It germinates in autumn, grows quietly through winter as a small, feathery-leaved plant, then forms spiny burrs in spring.
The key is timing. In winter the plants are small, easy to dig out, and the best target for a selective spray whose label lists bindii and your grass. Wait until spring and the burrs are already there.
“Bindii” is also used for caltrop (Tribulus terrestris), a different summer weed with yellow flowers and hard, woody burrs. If your prickles appear in summer after rain, check that one.
How to identify bindii
- Leaves
- Small, finely divided, almost feathery leaves.
- Flowers and seeds
- Tiny, inconspicuous flowers, followed by seeds with sharp spines (the burrs that hurt bare feet) in spring.
- Growth
- Flat, low-growing plants hugging the ground.
- When you see it
- Winter and spring.
Look-alikes
- Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris): Also called bindii in some places, but it has yellow flowers, grows after summer rain, and forms hard, woody burrs with long spines.
When it germinates
| Zone | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subtropical | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Warm temperate | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Temperate | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Arid and inland | ● | ● | ● |
What favours it
- Thin lawns and bare patches
- Compacted soil along paths and play areas
Control without chemicals first
Dig out plants in winter, before they form burrs. Each plant is small and easy to lift.
Thicken up thin areas so there's less room for seedlings next autumn.
Prevent seeding. Once burrs form, the seed drops into the lawn for next year.
Herbicide options
| Timing | Active ingredient | What it does | Grass types |
|---|---|---|---|
| post emergent | See product label | Selective broadleaf herbicides registered for bindii are applied in winter, while plants are young and before they seed. Check the label lists bindii and your grass type. | Check the label |
In the Lawn Calendar
Bindii forms its prickly burrs in spring. Dig out plants or spot treat them with a herbicide whose label lists bindii and your grass type, before the burrs appear.
July, August, September · Subtropical, Warm temperate, Temperate, Arid and inland
Winter grass and bindii are easiest to dig out, or to treat with a selective herbicide whose label lists the weed and your grass, while the plants are small.
June, July, August · Subtropical, Warm temperate, Temperate, Arid and inland, Cool and highland (including Tasmania)
Popular questions about bindii
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Common questions
Why is it too late to spray bindii in late spring?
By then the plant has usually formed its burrs, and killing it doesn't remove the seed already in your lawn. Winter treatment, before seeding, breaks the cycle.
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Sources
- Turf weed, pest and disease identification guide (poster), Bayer Environmental Science, hosted by Turf AustraliaBindii: annual; establishes from seed in autumn, grows through winter, flowers in spring; control timed to prevent seeding. Accessed 3 October 2026.
- Caltrop (also called bindii or bindi), Weeds AustraliaCaltrop is a different weed also called bindii. Accessed 4 October 2026.