Weed Identification

16 years ago

I have three weeds I would like identified. The photos are on the PhotoBucket site (follow link below).

Weed 1:

Probably a summer annual, it has a taproot but pulls easily. It has alternate leaves with a petiole. The leaves are spatulate in shape, 2" long (incl petiole) and 1/2" wide.

The growth is generally low. It has not yet flowered.

Weed 2:

This one is starting to dwindle off with the heat, but it is still strong in the part-shade areas of the lawn. It has whorled leaves (typ 4-6 per group), lancelate in shape without petioles. The leaves are 1/4-3/8" long, 1/8" across. The leaves are somewhat fleshy. The flowers are 4-petaled, purple, 1/8" across. It has square stems, spreading growth and breaks off easily at the growth crown.

Weed 3:

Mat-like prostrate growth, some up to 8" in diameter at this time. Some stems are reddish in color. The leaves are alternate(?) and linear without petiole - approximately 1" long by 1/16" wide. I have not seen the flowers in bloom, but it has small tufted seed heads. It has a taproot but pulls easily. (I am pretty sure this is NOT rustweed, but I welcome corrections.)

I live in North Texas, zone 7/8. The lawn is sparse bermuda turf, heavy clay and not particularly fertile. All of these weeds are happy in full sun.

I have used some on-line ID keys, taken samples to the local nursery and visited with the County Extension Agent. I know several ways to get rid of the weeds from my lawn and keep them from coming back, but I'd like to know their names.

Thank you,

P Ferrell

Here is a link that might be useful: Weed photos on Photobucket

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Comments (5)

bestlawn
16 years ago
This site has lots of weeds to help you identify them.
This one will help you by entering weed characteristics

Hope these help
p_ferrell
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you bestlawn.

I had used the UC IPM interactive key without success, but this time I just went through all the weeds on the list you linked. Now I've identified "Weed 2" as Field Madder.
Just two more weeds to go - anyone have other suggestions?

Thanks,
Patrick
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mannyl36
16 years ago
I responded to your post in lawn care...here it is:

The following are my best guesses at what you have.

weed_1a_lr.jpg
looks to me like red sorrel

weed_3a_lr.jpg
carpetweed

weed_2b_lr.jpg
not sure, but maybe prostrate knotweed?

weed_2a_lr.jpg
either of the two immediately above, but I am leaning toward carpetweed

weed_1b_lr.jpg
some form of crabgrass (southern? large hairy??)

All of the above except crabgrass can be spot treated with broadleaf weed products...red (sheep) sorrell takes some time to respond to treatment...all can be dug out, too.

I'm no expert and I am about 1500 miles from where you are...just comparing your photos to a few of the books I have.
p_ferrell
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Manny. I appreciate the help.

I should have used better file names on the photos I posted.
The photos "weed_1a_lr" and "weed_1b_lr" are the same plant - the first is taken with the plant on the table, the second with the same plant still in the turf. The same is true for the "weed_2..." files.

I've ruled out Red Sorrel for "Weed 1". My weed has a taproot, where Red Sorrel has shallow roots and rhizomes. Nor do the leaves have the characteristic basal lobe of the sorrel.

Weed 2 I've identified as Field Madder, (Sherardia arvensis).

I don't believe Weed 3 is Carpetweed. The seed head of my weed is a small white tuft, whereas the carpetweed has distinct seed capsules. Additionally, the leaf shapes aren't quite the same.

I'm still looking. I don't know why I need to know the names, but it's driving me to distraction. Try explaining to your spouse why you're spending so much time looking up weeds on the internet.

Patrick
dkjason_hotmail_com
13 years ago
Did you ever find what Weed 3 is? That is what is all over my back yard.