AggieTurf (https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/) Turfgrass Weeds Weeds of Texas Turf Casey Reynolds, PhD and Matt Elmore, PhD Weed Identification Weeds, like all plants, are classified based on morphological characteristics of their vegetative and reproductive structures. A basic understanding of the types of weeds commonly found in turf is very helpful in identification and herbicide selection. Weeds are often grouped by morphological characteristics into the categories: broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds, and sedges (Table 1). Editor’s Note: A “weed” is simply a plant growing someplace we don’t want it. Many of the “weeds” listed here make lovely groundcovers, so be cautious as you seek an all-turf lawn…
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AggieTurf (https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/)
Turfgrass Weeds
Weeds of Texas Turf Casey Reynolds, PhD and Matt Elmore, PhD
Weed Identification
Weeds, like all plants, are classified based on morphological characteristics of their vegetative and reproductive structures. A basic understanding of the types of weeds commonly found in turf is very helpful in identification and herbicide selection.
Weeds are often grouped by morphological characteristics into the categories: broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds, and sedges (Table 1). Editor’s Note: A “weed” is simply a plant growing someplace we don’t want it. Many of the “weeds” listed here make lovely groundcovers, so be cautious as you seek an all-turf lawn…
Table 1. General Characteristics of Weed Species When Grouped as Broadleaf weeds, Grassy Weeds, or Sedges.
Broadleaf Weeds Grasses and Grasslike
Weeds Sedges
Embryo
Dicot
Monocot
Monocot
Stem
Usually solid, variable in shape
Hollow, round or flattened
Solid, usually triangular
Leaf Shape
Variable
Simple, entire
Simple, entire
Leaf
Arrangement
Variable
Alternate, 2ranked
Alternate, 3ranked
Leaf Veins Netted
Parallel
Parallel
Table 1. General Characteristics of Weed Species When Grouped as Broadleaf weeds, Grassy Weeds, or Sedges. (Continued)
Broadleaf Weeds Grasses and Grasslike
Weeds
Sedges
Inflorescence
Highly variable, often
colored and showy
Spike, Raceme, or Panicle
Headlike with flattened
spikele
Secondary
Growth
None, Tubers, Bulbs
Rhizomes, Stolons
etc.
None, Rhizomes,
and/or Stolons
None, Rhizomes, and/or
Tubers
Family
Classification
Many
Poaceae, Iridaceae,
Commelinaceae, Liliaceae,
others
Cyperaceae
Examples Henbit, Chickweed,
Prostrate Spurge,
Slender aster, etc.
Crabgrass, Dallisgrass,
Annual bluegrass, Smutgrass,
etc.
Purple nutsedge, Yellow
nutsed Kyllinga, etc.
Identifying weeds based on these features is helpful because herbicides are often particularly effective on one or more of these groups. However, it is important to be able to identify specific weeds within a group (down to the genus and species level), because many herbicides only control certain species. This is also important because there are several species of weeds with vegetative characteristics (leaves, stems, sheaths, etc.) that appear to be grasses, but when left unmowed their floral characteristics reveal that they are actually quite different. These species are sometimes referred to as “grasslike” weeds and for the purposes of organization they are classified in the image gallery below as Grassy Weeds.