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Violet Biology and Management in Turf1

Darcy E. P. Telenko, Barry J. Brecke, Ramon Leon, and J. Bryan Unruh 2

Violets (Viola spp.) are diverse winter annuals and perennials. Perennials form rhizomes or long stolons. Many have heart-shaped leaves on long petioles and have a rosette growth habit. Some have linear leaves and others have palmate leaves. Flowers are generally purple, but can be white, pink or yellow. They reproduce by seed or, when produced, rhizomes.

 

Figure 1. Violet in grass
Figure 1.  Violet in grass
Credit: Creative Commons BY-NC: withrow

 

Herbicide Options for Controlling Violets 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 https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/phag/files/2015/04/2012_UF_Pest_Control_Guide.pdf for brand names associated with chemical names listed.

Bermudagrass

  • Preemergence: none

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

St. Augustinegrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: carfentrazone, 2,4-D+dicamba (follow label recommendations to minimize turf injury), dicamba sulfentrazone

Centipedegrass

  • Preemergence: none

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

Bahiagrass

  • Preemergence: none

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

Seashore Paspalum

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: carfentrazone, sulfentrazone

Zoysiagrass

  • Preemergence: none

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

Perennial Ryegrass

  • Preemergence: none

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

Publication #ENH1235

Date: 11/12/2019

Related Experts

Unruh, Joseph Bryan

University of Florida

Leon, Ramon

University of Florida

Brecke, Barry J

University of Florida

  • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Management

About this Publication

This document is ENH1235, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2013. Reviewed October 2016. Revised November 2019. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. 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.

About the Authors

Darcy E. P. Telenko, postdoctoral research associate; Barry J. Brecke, professor; Ramon Leon, assistant professor, Agronomy Department; and J. Bryan Unruh, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, West Florida Research and Education Center; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Joseph Unruh
  • Pawel Petelewicz