Black Medic Biology and Management in Turf1
Black medic (Medicago lupulina) is a dark green annual with spreading, prostrate growth. Leaves are alternate with three leaflets on square stems. Leaflets are obovate to elliptic, toothed near the tip, and have a small spur on the tip. Bright yellow flowers are produced in tight, compressed clusters at leaf axils. Reproduction occurs via seed in tightly coiled black seed pods.
Credit: Creative Commons BY-NC by hedgerowmobile
Herbicide Options for Controlling Black Medic in Florida Turfgrass
(Always refer to the label for specific uses, application rates, and turfgrass tolerance.)
Refer to the publication Pest Control Guide for Turfgrass Managers at turf.ufl.edu/pdf/2012_UF_Pest_Control_Guide.pdf for brand names associated with chemical names listed.
Bermudagrass
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, clopyralid, 2,4-D, dicamba, quinclorac, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+imazethapyr, sulfentrazone+quinclorac, sulfentrazone+2,4-D+MCPP+dicamba, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid, trifloxysulfuron
St. Augustinegrass
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, clopyralid, 2,4-D, dicamba, sulfentrazone, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba
Centipedegrass
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+imazethapyr, sulfentrazone+quinclorac, sulfentrazone+2,4-D+MCCP+dicamba, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba
Bahiagrass
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+2,4-D+MCCP+dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid
Seashore Paspalum
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, quinclorac, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+quinclorac
Zoysiagrass
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, quinclorac, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+imazethapyr, sulfentrazone+quinclorac, sulfentrazone+2,4-D+MCCP+dicamba, thiencarbazone+iodosulfuron+dicamba, triclopyr+clopyralid, trifloxysulfuron
Perennial Ryegrass
Preemergence: none
Postemergence: carfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, quinclorac, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+quinclorac, triclopyr+clopyralid