Weed removal device with a cutting-off and gripping head (1) and a handle (2), the cutting-off and gripping head (1) having a lower cutting-off plate (3) which is connected rigidly to the handle (2) and on its ground-side end (4) has a sharpened edge (5). The cutting-off and gripping head (1) has an upper gripping plate (6) which is designed such that it is shorter in the cutting-off direction than the cutting-off plate (3) and the cutting-off plate (3) protrudes over the gripping plate (6) by a cutting-off portion (7). The gripping plate (6) can be rotated counter to the cutting-off plate (3) about a rotational axis (8) on the handle. An operating element (9) is provided on the handle (2) and has connected to it a pull connection (10) which is joined to the gripping plate (6). The gripping plate (6) can be rotated counter to the cutting-off plate (3) by means of the operating element (9) by the pull connection (10) from an inoperative position into a gripping position. The gripping plate (6) can be automatically returned into the inoperative position from the gripping position by means of a resetting element (11). <IMAGE>
