Virginia buttonweed (Diodia virginiana) is a perennial, broadleaf weed that is notorious for invading lawns and gardens across the United States. This weed is widely considered one of the most difficult broadleaf weeds to control and one of the most invasive weeds in the South. It spreads quickly, and it can easily take over your lawn without immediate treatment. Come read about the best way to identify and deal with this weed so you can keep your property protected against it!
Virginia buttonweed is easy to identify because of its white tubular flowers with four star-shaped petals. The petals have tiny hairs and will sometimes have pink streaks in the center. The leaves are oval-shaped and are joined across the slightly hairy, branched stems by a membrane. The leaves are thickened and slightly rough along the edges, green on the upper surface and light green on the lower surface. Due to a virus, the leaves can sometimes take on a yellowed patchwork look. The plant produces a green fruit that is usually hairy and tough.
Buttonweeds are prone to matting, which means they will grow close together in a tangled mass of leaves, suffocating the turfgrass and spreading quickly across your lawn. After flowering, Virginia buttonweed produces small, green, button-like fruits, which is where it gets its name. These fruits contain seeds that can remain viable in the soil for several years, meaning your lawn will be at continued risk of invasion until the weed is treated.
Key Characteristics
Understanding the life cycle of Virginia buttonweed is crucial for effective control. This weed is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years, and it has a complex life cycle with a hardy nature that makes it notoriously challenging to eradicate. With a combination of both a deep taproot and thick rhizomes under the soil surface, Virginia buttonweed is likely to be one of the most difficult lawn weeds you will encounter.
Virginia buttonweed is most commonly found in the southeastern United States, but it has been reported in other regions, including the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. It thrives in warm, humid climates, like here in Georgia, but its prolific seed production and dispersal make this weed an aggressive invader that is likely to spread fast once established. Lawns that are poorly drained and patchy are especially susceptible to Virginia buttonweed, as the weed can quickly outcompete desirable grass species for scarce resources.
The weed can also invade gardens and flower beds, particularly in areas where the soil is disturbed or where there is regular irrigation. Its prostrate growth habit allows it to spread under other plants, making it difficult to spot and remove. Virginia buttonweed is commonly found along the edges of ponds and in other low-lying areas where water tends to collect, so keep an eye on any such areas that exist on your property.
This weed must be controlled and contained as early as possible due to its aggressive nature. In addition to its creeping roots, Virginia buttonweed can produce up to 50,000 seeds per season. The duality of propagation methods exhibited by the weed means that your lawn and yard will be taken over quickly if even a single plant establishes itself.
Virginia buttonweed competes directly with turfgrass for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Its aggressive growth can quickly thin out grass, leading to bare spots and a weakened lawn that is more susceptible to other weeds and diseases. The prostrate growth of the weed even allows for it to physically “attack” your grass by intertwining with it and weakening your lawn as a whole.
Worst of all, the sap of Virginia buttonweed can cause skin irritation in some people. When the weed is mowed or disturbed, it can disperse this sap, as well as release pollen that may trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. For the health and safety of you lawn, garden, and even your loved ones, Virginia buttonweed must be stopped as soon as possible.
By far, the best solution for handling Virginia buttonweed is not to let it grow in your lawn in the first place. These deep-rooted, pesky weeds thrive in moist and poorly drained lawns that often exist as a result of poor maintenance. Keep the following tips in mind to help prevent Virginia buttonweed from establishing a presence in your lawn, and be on the lookout for any of the aforementioned identifiers that can help you detect and treat a weed early in its life cycle.
Preventive Measures
As previously stated, Virginia buttonweed is notoriously difficult to remove and control. Removing it by hand is mostly ineffective due to the creeping roots or fragments left behind. Those roots and fragments often were enough to establish a viable plant. The same issue occurs when using a mower to remove them. The stems and leaves are spread by the mower over the area, which effectively spreads the growth of the weed.
This hardy, pesky weed stands strong against many standard herbicides. Most herbicides that you’ll find at home improvement or gardening centers don’t have what it takes to get rid of this broadleaf weed. That’s why it usually makes sense to have a professional lawn care provider get rid of this weed for you. While there are many post-emergent herbicides that list control of Virginia buttonweed, they are often ineffective if applied improperly. Most post-emergent products will also kill your grass if the application is not contained to only the weed.
It is always best to trust a professional like us when dealing with harsh chemicals to kill Virginia buttonweed, once and for all. Call Pro Outdoor Landscape Management to control weeds in your Georgia lawn!
