University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

Download PDF
Publication #ENH1127

 

Florida Betony Biology and Management in Turf1

J. Bryan Unruh, Darcy E. P. Telenko, Barry J. Brecke, and Ramon Leon2

Florida betony (Stachys floridana) is a perennial broadleaf. It is sometimes called rattlesnake weed because its underground stems produce fleshy, white, segmented tubers that resemble a rattlesnake’s rattle. A branched, erect stem is produced from thin, white underground runners and the fleshy tubers. Leaves are opposite, simple, shovel shaped, toothed, and long stalked. Pinkish-purple flowers produce fruit composed of four nutlets. Reproduction occurs primarily through the tubers. Florida betony is native to Florida and was confined to Florida until it escaped in the 1940s or 1950s in nursery stock and is now found from Texas to North Carolina.

Figure 1. 

Figure 2. 

Figure 3. 

Herbicide options for controlling Florida betony in Florida turfgrass

Due to its ability to reproduce through tubers, it is important to use herbicides that can move within the plant after absorption and reach those tubers to ensure effective control of Florida betony. (Always refer to the label for specific uses, application rates, and turfgrass tolerance)

Bermudagrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: 2,4-D, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, foramsulfuron, metsulfuron, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid, trifloxysulfuron

St. Augustinegrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine

  • Postemergence: atrazine, 2,4-D, dicamba, metsulfuron, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba

Centipedegrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine

  • Postemergence: atrazine, 2,4-D, dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba

Bahiagrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: 2,4-D, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid

Seashore paspalum

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: none

Zoysiagrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine

  • Postemergence: atrazine, 2,4-D, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, foramsulfuron, metsulfuron, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid, trifloxysulfuron

Perennial ryegrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: 2,4-D, 2,4-D+dicamba, dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid

Refer to the publication Pest Control Guide for Turfgrass Managers at http://turf.ufl.edu/pdf/2012_UF_Pest_Control_Guide.pdf for brand names associated with chemical names listed.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH1127, 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 July 2009. Revised February 2013. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

J. Bryan Unruh, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Darcy E. P. Telenko, postdoctoral research associate; and Barry J. Brecke, professor, and Ramon Leon, assistant 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. Nick T. Place, Dean.