
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.
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.
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.
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.
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