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Publication #ENH1124

Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis) Biology and Management in Turf1

J. Bryan Unruh, Darcy E. Partridge-Telenko, and Barry J. Brecke2

Yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) is an upright, herbaceous perennial with hairy stems. Leaves are alternate, divided into three partly folded, deeply cut, heart-shaped lobes. Flowers are bright yellow with five petals on stalks bent below the fruit and attaching to a common point. Fruit are narrow, "okra-like" capsules. Florida yellow woodsorrel (O. florida) is similar in appearance to yellow woodsorrel, but has slenderer stems, larger leaves, and a smooth to sparingly hairy, smaller capsule. Reproduction occurs via seed.

Figure 1. 

Figure 2. 

Herbicide options for controlling yellow woodsorrel in Florida turfgrass

(Always refer to the label for specific uses, application rates and turfgrass tolerance)

Bermudagrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben, oxadiazon

  • Postemergence: atrazine, bromoxynil, carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, imazaquin, metsulfuron, metribuzin, sulfentrazone, triclopyr

St. Augustinegrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben, oxadiazon

  • Postemergence: atrazine, bromoxynil, carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba (follow label recomendations to minimize turf injury), imazaquin, metsulfuron, sulfentrazone

Centipedegrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben

  • Postemergence: atrazine, bromoxynil, carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, imazaquin, mesotrione, metsulfuron, clopyralid, sulfentrazone

Bahiagrass

  • Preemergence: isoxaben

  • Postemergence: bromoxynil, carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, triclopyr, sulfentrazone

Seashore paspalum

  • Preemergence: oxadiazon

  • Postemergence: carfentrazone, sulfentrazone

Zoysiagrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben, oxadiazon

  • Postemergence: atrazine, bromoxynil, carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, imazaquin, metsulfuron, triclopyr+clopyralid, sulfentrazone

Perennial ryegrass

  • Preemergence: oxadiazon

  • Postemergence: bromoxynil, carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, triclopyr, sulfentrazone

Refer to the publication Pest Control Guide for Turfgrass Management at turf.ufl.edu for brand names associated with chemical names listed.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH1124, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date June 29, 2009. Adapted from: Tim R. Murphy, Daniel L. Colvin, Ray Dickens, John W. Everest, David Hall, and L.B. McCarty. Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses. University of Florida, 1992. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

J. Bryan Unruh, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Darcy E. Partridge-Telenko, postdoctoral research associate; and Barry J. Brecke, professor, Agronomy Department; West Florida Research and Education Center, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.