Coping with Common Broadleaf Weeds: A Guide to Florida Lawn Care
Florida is known for its diverse range of broadleaf weeds that can invade turf areas. These weeds can be quite troublesome for homeowners and landscapers. Some common types of broadleaf weeds in turf areas in Florida include:
Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle spp.): Dollarweed is a persistent weed in Florida lawns, with round leaves that resemble silver dollars. It thrives in moist, low-lying areas.
Clover (Trifolium spp.): Various species of clover, such as white clover and hop clover, can invade Florida lawns. They have distinctive trifoliate leaves.
Florida Betony (Stachys floridana): Also known as rattlesnake weed, it has square stems and tuberous roots. It can be challenging to control.
Florida Pusley (Richardia spp.): This weed has small white flowers and is a common invader in Florida lawns.
Spurge (Euphorbia spp.): Spurge weeds are low-growing with small, oval leaves and can quickly spread in turf areas.
Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major): This weed has broad leaves and can be a common nuisance in lawns.
Prostrate Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare): This weed forms dense mats with small, elliptical leaves and pinkish flowers.
Chickweed (Stellaria media): Chickweed has small, oval leaves and is known for its white, star-shaped flowers.
Bittercress (Cardamine spp.): Bittercress produces small white flowers and can be found in moist areas.
Wild Violet (Viola spp.): Wild violets have heart-shaped leaves and produce purple or white flowers.
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea): Also known as creeping Charlie, ground ivy has scalloped leaves and blue-purple flowers.
Purple Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum): This weed has purple-tinged leaves and pink to purple flowers.
Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule): Henbit resembles purple deadnettle and has similar purple flowers.
Florida Snow (Cerastium spp.): Florida snow is a low-growing weed with small, white flowers.
Florida Keys Pusley (Richardia scabra): This weed has small, white flowers and can be invasive in Florida lawns.
To effectively control these broadleaf weeds in Florida turf areas, it's important to identify them accurately and use appropriate herbicides or cultural practices for management. Keep in mind that the specific weed species present can vary depending on the region within Florida and the type of turfgrass being grown. Always consult with a local lawn care professional for guidance on weed control strategies tailored to your specific lawn conditions. We are happy to help control weeds in your lawn with our lawn program, don’t hesitate to reach out!
