Weed Library
Verified weed and herbicide reference
Chamberbitter
Phyllanthus urinaria
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, Zoysia
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Manor, Certainty
CONTROL NOTES: Very common in Florida. Pre-emergent critical. Pre-emergent options: Barricade, Dimension. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Manor.
Bahiagrass
Paspalum notatum
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Bentgrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Certainty, Revolver
CONTROL NOTES: Common invader on Florida golf courses. Certainty provides good suppression. No effective pre-emergent option. Post-emergent options: Certainty, Revolver.
Sandbur
Cenchrus spinifex
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Drive XLR8, MSMA
CONTROL NOTES: Produces painful burs. Pre-emergent critical. Common in sandy Florida soils. Pre-emergent options: Barricade, Dimension. Post-emergent options: Drive XLR8, MSMA.
Crabgrass (Large)
Digitaria sanguinalis
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Dimension, Barricade, Drive XLR8
CONTROL NOTES: Coarser than smooth crabgrass. Pre-emergent is the gold standard at 55F soil temp.
Crabgrass (Smooth)
Digitaria ischaemum
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Bentgrass, Zoysia
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Drive XLR8, Tenacity, Pylex
CONTROL NOTES: Similar to large crabgrass but smaller. Pre-emergent timing critical at 55F soil temp. Pre-emergent options: Dimension, Barricade. Post-emergent options: Drive XLR8, Tenacity.
Mulberry Weed
Fatoua villosa
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrasses
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Three-way, Celsius, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Spreads aggressively by seed. Control before seed set. Common in moist, shaded areas. Pre-emergent option: Barricade. Post-emergent options: Three-way, Celsius.
Thin Paspalum
Paspalum setaceum
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Centipede
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: MSMA, Certainty
CONTROL NOTES: Native grass species. Difficult to control selectively. No effective pre-emergent option. Post-emergent options: MSMA, Certainty.
Virginia Buttonweed
Diodia virginiana
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, Centipede
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Three-way, Trimec
CONTROL NOTES: Very difficult to control. Thrives in wet areas. Improve drainage. Pre-emergent is not effective. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Three-way.
Florida Pusley
Richardia scabra
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, St. Augustine
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Three-way, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Extremely common in Florida turf. Thrives in heat. Pre-emergent option: Barricade. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Three-way.
Doveweed
Murdannia nudiflora
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, Centipede, Zoysia
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Dismiss, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Thrives in wet, compacted soil. Improve drainage and aeration. Pre-emergent is not effective. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Dismiss.
Creeping Woodsorrel
Oxalis corniculata
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrasses
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Three-way, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Perennial with clover-like leaves. Yellow flowers. Spreads by seed and stolons. Pre-emergent is not effective. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Three-way.
Lespedeza
Kummerowia striata
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, Centipede
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Three-way, Eliminate
CONTROL NOTES: Summer annual legume. Tolerates drought and low fertility. Pre-emergent is not effective. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Three-way.
Brazilian Pusley
Richardia brasiliensis
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, St. Augustine
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Similar to Florida Pusley. White flowers. Common in Central and South Florida. Pre-emergent option: Barricade. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Manor.
Matchweed
Phyla nodiflora
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, St. Augustine
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Celsius, Three-way, Dismiss
CONTROL NOTES: Prostrate perennial. Thrives in moist areas. Purple flowers. Common in Florida fairways. Pre-emergent is not effective. Post-emergent options: Celsius, Three-way.
Annual Sedge
Kyllinga pumila
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, Centipedegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Certainty, Dismiss, Sedgehammer
CONTROL NOTES: Annual version of Kyllinga. Dense low-growing mat. Sedge-specific herbicides required.
Rescue Grass
Bromus catharticus
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Bentgrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Kerb, Tenacity
CONTROL NOTES: Cool-season annual grass. Apply pre-emergent in fall. Pre-emergent option: Kerb. Post-emergent option: Tenacity.
Barnyardgrass
Echinochloa crus-galli
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Pendimethalin, Prodiamine, Drive XLR8
CONTROL NOTES: Coarse summer annual with flat stems. Common in wet areas.
Kyllinga (Green Kyllinga)
Kyllinga brevifolia
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Certainty, Dismiss, Sedgehammer
CONTROL NOTES: Very difficult to control once established. Resembles nutsedge but grows lower and denser. Multiple applications required. Certainty is most effective.
Buckhorn Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, 2,4-D
CONTROL NOTES: Narrow lance-shaped leaves. Common in thin or stressed turf. Apply post-emergent in spring or fall.
Wild Violet
Viola sororia
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Confront, Momentum, Triclopyr + 2,4-D
CONTROL NOTES: One of the most difficult broadleaf weeds to control. Waxy leaves resist herbicide uptake.
Oxalis (Yellow Woodsorrel)
Oxalis stricta
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Heart-shaped leaves in groups of three, yellow flowers. Often confused with clover. Post-emergent herbicides work best on young plants.
Common Chickweed
Stellaria media
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, Certainty
CONTROL NOTES: Small white flowers, thrives in cool moist conditions. Winter annual.
Foxtail (Yellow Foxtail)
Setaria pumila
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All warm and cool season turfgrasses
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Pendimethalin, Dimension, Drive XLR8
CONTROL NOTES: Seedhead resembles a fox's tail. Summer annual.
Common Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, Celsius
CONTROL NOTES: Thick succulent leaves, reddish stems. Very heat and drought tolerant.
Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie)
Glechoma hederacea
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Confront, Triclopyr, Momentum
CONTROL NOTES: Round scalloped leaves, spreads by stolons. Thrives in shaded moist areas.
Prostrate Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, 2,4-D + MCPP
CONTROL NOTES: Mat-forming weed. Thrives in compacted, high-traffic areas.
Broadleaf Plantain
Plantago major
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All turfgrass types
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, Confront
CONTROL NOTES: Oval leaves with prominent parallel veins. Thrives in compacted soil. Improve soil aeration to reduce recurrence.
Johnsongrass
Sorghum halepense
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, tall fescue, ryegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Revolver, Ornamec, Fusilade II
CONTROL NOTES: Tall coarse grass with prominent midrib. Spreads by rhizomes and seed.
Henbit
Lamium amplexicaule
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: All cool and warm season turfgrasses
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, Speedzone, Celsius
CONTROL NOTES: Purple flowers, scalloped leaves. Winter annual. Pre-emergent in fall prevents germination.
Torpedograss
Panicum repens
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Pylex, Fusilade II
CONTROL NOTES: Very difficult to control. Apply Pylex as a selective treatment in bermudagrass. Multiple applications required. Torpedograss spreads via rhizomes. Non-selective glyphosate may be needed for severe infestations.
Poa Annua
Poa annua
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bentgrass, Bermudagrass, Ryegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Revolver, Monument, Trimmit, Velocity
CONTROL NOTES: Apply pre-emergent in early fall before germination. Post-emergent spot treatments with Revolver or Monument in spring. Maintain healthy dense turf to reduce invasion. Avoid overwatering.
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Ryegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, SpeedZone, Manor
CONTROL NOTES: Fall applications most effective when plants translocate to roots. Spot treat with Trimec or SpeedZone. Maintain soil fertility and pH. Hand-pull taproot for small infestations.
Goosegrass
Eleusine indica
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, Tall Fescue
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Drive XLT, Pylex, Acclaim Extra
CONTROL NOTES: Pre-emergent when soil temps reach 60°F. Post-emergent on young plants with Drive XLT. Goosegrass is more tolerant of compaction and heat than crabgrass. Improve drainage and reduce compaction.
Nutsedge
Cyperus esculentus
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, Bentgrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Dismiss, Certainty, Sedgehammer
CONTROL NOTES: Treat when nutsedge is 3-8 inches tall with Sedgehammer or Dismiss. Multiple applications 4-6 weeks apart may be needed. Avoid application during heat stress. Tubers can survive multiple seasons.
Clover
Trifolium repens
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, SpeedZone, Celsius WG
CONTROL NOTES: Apply nitrogen fertilizer to reduce clover competitiveness. Treat with Trimec or SpeedZone in fall. Clover thrives in low-nitrogen soils. Maintain proper fertility program.
Spurge
Euphorbia supina
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: Trimec, SpeedZone, Celsius WG
CONTROL NOTES: Pre-emergent in spring. Post-emergent with SpeedZone on young plants. Spurge grows in thin turf and compacted areas. Maintain dense healthy turf and reduce soil compaction.
Dallisgrass
Paspalum dilatatum
TURFGRASS AFFECTED: Bermudagrass, Zoysia, Tall Fescue
RECOMMENDED HERBICIDES: MSMA, Revolver, Pylex
CONTROL NOTES: Apply MSMA or Revolver in summer when actively growing. Multiple applications 2-3 weeks apart. Dallisgrass forms clumps and thrives in wet areas. Improve drainage and reduce irrigation frequency.