Also known as Creeping Signalgrass or Tropical Signalgrass, This summer annual is similar in growth and spread to Crabgrass. In fact, it is often mistaken for Crabgrass. Although classified as a summer-annual, this weed often perennializes (doesn’t die off seasonally) and continues to thrive year-round. Left unchecked, Alexandergrass quickly chokes out lawns.

Currently, there are no selective herbicides that will kill Alexandergrass growing in St. Augustinegrass and Bahiagrasss lawns. Management options are available for Alexandergrass growing in Zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass, and Seashore Paspalum. Baking soda can be used to “burn off” Alexandergrass growing in the lawn with minimal damage to the lawn.

Alligator Weed is a perennial weed found in Central Florida lawns. This weeds is a significant problem in lakes and waterways. We typically see Alligator Weed as a pest that comes in with new sod. This weed readily-spreads through cuttings and seeds. Once established, Alligator Weed is difficult to control. Several selective herbicide products are effective in management of Alligator Weed, but heavy-infestations should be hand-pulled.

Basketgrass is a common annual weed that often infests shady areas. It is very common under trees, where turfgrass has difficulty growing. Basketgrass grows mid-spring through fall, and dies in the winter. It reproduces by seeds. There is no practical way to manage Basketgrass using selective herbicides. Similarly to Crabgrass, Basketgrass can be successfully-managed by using baking soda.

Creeping Beggarweed is one of two common Beggarweed species commonly found in Central Florida. This one possesses larger leaves than Threeflowered Beggarweed. Creeping Beggarweed is difficult to manage once established. It grows from a large, deep taproot and roots where stems touch the ground. It spreads easily by seed, stems, and cuttings. Seed capsules of Creeping Beggarweed stick to clothing and pet hair, and can be tedious to remove.

Threeflowered Beggarweed is one of two common Beggarweed species commonly found in Central Florida. This one possesses much smaller leaves than Creeping Beggarweed. Threeflowered Beggarweed is often found in lawns that drain poorly and in low-pH soils. The seeds of this weed tend to stick to clothing and pet hair. This weed is difficult to manage, as it is resistant to many postemergent herbicides. However with persistence and patience, management is possible.

Bermudagrass is one of the most common weeds in lawns. It is a perennial that easily spreads through seeds and cuttings, as well as above- and below-ground stems. This is NOT the same Bermudagrass used on golf courses and athletic fields. Bermudagrass usually browns out in dormancy during the cooler times of the year. While dormant, the plants is NOT dead and will regrow when temperatures warm in spring. the Currently, the best management option for Bermudagrass infesting lawns is to kill it using a nonselective herbicide such as RoundUp and resodding. Note that nonselective herbicides do not kill seeds – therefore resurgence of Bermudagrass in new sod is possible.

Camphor Trees are common in Central Florida. This tree is classified as invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) list of invasive species. Camphor trees produce a plethora of black seeds that fall off the tree or spread by birds. The seeds sprout readily in most environments. Homeowners are often alarmed by the “forest” of Camphor seedlings that continuously sprout in spring through summer. The best way to manage seedlings in lawns is to simply mow them off. An easy way to identify this weed is to crush and smell a leaf, which smells strongly like camphor.

White Clover is the only perennial of several Clover species found in Florida (the others are annuals). This weed bears white flowers tinted with pink that are quite attractive. Most selective herbicides used in Lawn Care are quite effective against White Clover. Interestingly, each cluster of three leaflets is actually a single leaf composed of three leaflets.

Blanket Crabgrass is one of five Crabgrass species commonly found in Central Florida. This is a spring-through-fall annual weed that quickly grows to overtake lawns. During warmer winter seasons (which have become commonplace), Crabgrass perennializes (doesn’t die off seasonally) and continues to thrive into the following season. Currently there are no selective herbicides that will kill crabgrass growing in St. Augustinegrass and Bahiagrasss lawns. Management options are available for Crabgrass growing in Zoysiagrass, Bermudagrass, and Seashore Paspalum. Baking soda can be used to “burn off” Crabgrass growing in the lawn with minimal damage to the lawn.

This creeping weed is common in disturbed or poorly-draining soils. It is a perennial that forms a taproot up to three feet long into the ground. Once established, Creeping Indigo spreads easily through seeds. This plant contains toxins that are poisonous to horses and livestock.

Note: Other common weeds, such as Lespedeza and Beggarweed, resemble Creeping Indigo to the untrained eye. They differ in the number of leaflets per leaf, flower position on the stem, and growth habits.

Often referred to as “Purple Oxalis”, this weed is usually referred to as “clover” by most homeowners. Two species of Woodsorrel are common in Central Florida landscapes – this one bears purple flowers on tall stalks (the other bears yellow flowers). Cuban Purple Woodsorrel can be difficult to manage because it grows from clusters of bulbs in the soil. A significant infestation of this weed may warrant the painstaking task of digging up the bulbs (may be a good chore for the kids…). Removing the flower stalks is important in managing this weed, as it easily spreads through seeds and bulbs.

Often confused with Dollarweed, Dichondra leaves are more kidney-shaped and split at the attachment to to petiole (stalk below the leaf). Dichondra is a perennial that forms low-growing mats that can overtake lawns. It reproduces by seeds, cuttings, and stems. In some parts of the country, Dichondra is used as groundcover and lawn.

This very common perennial weed often infests lawn areas that typically stay too wet. Contrary to popular belief, however, Dollarweed also infests areas that do not have a moisture-retention problem. Dollarweed spreads through seeds, rhizomes (stems), and tubers (underground structures). We commonly treat Dollarweed as part of our Lawn Care services. Due to its aggressive growing habit, we expect to see resurrection of Dollarweed in lawns from time to time.

Also known as Rattlesnake Weed, this weed is native to Florida and one of only a handful of weeds that are biennial. As such, individual Florida Betony plants flower and die naturally following a second-year of development. This is in contrast to annual plants that complete their life cycle and die within one year. This plant grows from underground tubers that resemble a rattlesnake’s rattle. The tubers of Florida Betony reproduce prolifically underground. This weed is primarily observed in the cooler times of the year. While manageable, it is practically impossible to eradicate this weed due to its extensive tuber structures.

This is a common weed in Central Florida. It is a summer-annual that branches out of a central root, making it quite-easy to pull out of the ground. Florida Pusley can be managed quite well in lawns using selective herbicides. This weed spreads by seeds, which overwinter and sprout the following summer. Persistent infestations of this weed may indicate plant-parasitic nematode issues in the lawn.

Garden Spurge is one of five spurge species commonly-found in Central Florida. This common weed grows from a thick taproot, making it easy to pull out of the ground. Garden Spurge thrives in lawn areas that experience intermittent lack of water and/or are commonly-stressed. It also indicates possible plant-parasitic nematode issues in the lawn. The milky-white secretion produced by spurges may irritate the skin.

Globe Nutsege is one of many common Nutsege weeds in Central Florida lawns. It thrives in wet as well as well-drained lawns. Unlike other common Nutsege species, Globe Nutsedge mainly reproduces by seeds and does not form long underground stems (rhizomes). We have excellent products for management of Globe Nutsedge.

Green Kyllinga Nutsedge is a common perennial Nutsedge in lawns. This Nutsedge grows up to six inches tall, so it often blends-in with the grass. Green Kyllinga spreads through seeds and underground stems. It tends to thrive in overly-wet areas and can overtake areas of lawn. This Nutsedge is quite manageable if soil drainage issues are alleviated.

This common annual weed is commonly seen in warmer months of the year. The sticky seeds of Heartleaf Drymary commonly attach to clothing and pet hair, making this weed particularly-annoying. Luckily, we have excellent selective herbicides that provide good management for this weed.

This is a relatively uncommon weed. In fact, we’ve only noticed it three times since the early 2000’s, in Orange and Seminole Counties (specifically in Apopka, Altamonte Springs, and Longwood). We’re putting this one in here as a point of interest. Largeleaf Marshpennywort is a relative of Dollarweed. Not much is known about the growing habits of this perennial weed. It has only been documented a handful of times in Florida. If you notice this weed in your landscape, please let us know!