New Tool To Kill Weeds

(Fort Collins, Colorado-AP) -- A herbicide spray that comes from a weed and is kinder to the environment could be available to consumers within the next year or two.

The chemical is called catechin and it's found naturally in knapweed.

A scientist from Colorado State University recently identified and isolated it for the first time.

Jorge Vivanco says catechin is the reason why knapweed can spread across such a large area so quickly. The chemical kills all the plants around it.

Grasses and grassy-like plants such as wheat show some resistance to catechin.

That might mean it could be used on lawns to kill weeds or in wheat fields without damaging the crop.