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Publication #ENH1128

Pennywort (Dollarweed) Biology and Management in Turf1

Barry J. Brecke, Darcy E. Partridge-Telenko and J. Bryan Unruh2

Figure 1. 

Pennywort (Hydrocotyle spp.), also known as dollarweed, is a perennial weed prevalent in Florida. Pennywort is propagated via rhizomes and occasionally by tubers. It produces erect, bright green, shiny leaves with scalloped margins. The petiole is located in the center of the leaf and forms an umbrella shape, which renders this weed easily distinguishable from dicondra, where the petiole is found at the margin of the leaf base (see photograph to the left). Pennywort flowers occur in elongated spikes or rounded umbels at the top of long stalks. The plant produces greenish, rounded and somewhat flattened fruit. Reproduction can occur via rhizomes, tubers or seed. Pennywort is found in moist to wet sites.

Figure 2. 

Herbicide options for controlling pennywort (dollarweed) in Florida turfgrass

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

Bermudagrass

  • Preemergence: isoxaben

  • Postemergence: clopyralid, 2, 4-D, dicamba +2, 4-D, dicamba, imazaquin, metsulfuron, quinclorac, rimsulfuron, triclopyr+clopyralid, trifloxysulfuron

St. Augustinegrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben

  • Postemergence: atrazine, clopyralid, 2,4-D, dicamba + 2,4-D, dicamba, imazaquin, metsulfuron,

Centipedegrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben

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

Bahiagrass

  • Preemergence: isoxaben

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

Seashore paspalum

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: clopyralid, quinclorac

Zoysiagrass

  • Preemergence: atrazine, isoxaben

  • Postemergence: atrazine, clopyralid, 2,4-D, dicamba +2,4-D, dicamba, imazaquin, metsulfuron, quinclorac, triclopyr+clopyralid

Perennial ryegrass

  • Preemergence: none

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

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

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH1128, 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 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.

Barry J. Brecke, professor, Agronomy Department; Darcy E. Partridge-Telenko, postdoctoral research associate; and J. Bryan Unruh, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture 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.