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What is this weed & how to get rid of it?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I call this the "carpet weed." It is extremely low to the ground and has a very dense mat. It is growing in my grass, garden beds, and pavers. It can't be "pulled" only scraped out of the garden soil and pavers. Have no idea how to get it out of the grass without scraping up the grass with it. Would appreciate any help. Thanks kindly, Marilyn

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Comments (4)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
8 years ago
I believe it is in the class of plants known as "liverworts". It is more like a fern, reproducing from spores rather than seeds. Extremely moist soil is their preferred habitat.

about liverworts, with control suggestions
Marilyn
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you so much for identifying this troublesome plant. Yes, it is liverwort. Now, for a plan of action.

Thanks, Marilyn
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Comments (3)
I've never heard of anyone mowing once every three weeks....especially a warm season grass as summer approaches, which is peak growing time. That's very stressful on your grass. Does it look like a hayfield on mowing day? At what height is your mower set?
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What is this weed and how to get rid of it
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Adding insult to injury here, all weeds have milti-annual seeds. Some will sprout this year, some next year, others in following years. It is true that you can encourage more to grow just by tilling the soil so I would avoid roto-tilling or turning-over the soil. Glipiside (Round up) will not affect seeds even on contact. It only works on actively growing plants. It does not even affect insects. It is systemic in that it will flow to the roots and stop them from working. After a few weeks, it is no longer present. I have seen good results with a complete layer of new sod (and even that will have weeds) then for a few years, use good doses of a pre-emergent weed killer (it destroys actively sprouting seedlings only) such as Preen for lawns. Do NOT use Preen for gardens in lawns and do not use preen for lawns in gardens as it will be attacking the wrong seeds. Preen is good for 12 week cycles, I would be avid in giving a dose in every 10 weeks. Do not put it on heavier than the directions suggest as you are just wasting it. Have you considered a ground cover instead? You might consider miniature clover and it is drought resistant and stays green. It mows like "normal grass". P.S. Did you know that grasses that we use for lawns are not native to North America? BTW, neither are earth worms for that matter. (-:
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What is this weed and how do I get rid of it?
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Comments (14)
For comparison, this is Glechoma hederacea growing at my house. 100% guarantee the ID of these pictures - I am an herbalist and do harvest this for herbal purposes. I tried to take a picture of a "patch" that was of similar character with close-ups for the OP to compare to. I do not see the "round objects" in the original photo but Glechoma hederacea do get galls in its stems that are very round. FataMorgana
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What is this weed and how do I get rid of it?
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Comments (2)
Fortunately for you it is not Japanese knotweed. https://slate.com/technology/2019/05/japanese-knotweed-invasive-plants.html
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
8 years ago
Adding tons of leaves this fall over it, wherever possible, could smother it. But even if not, will help improve the drainage in those areas, eliminating its' habitat and making your soil more fertile.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
It is also pretty much harmless........I know of a damp, shady side yard where this is acting as a groundcover (my sister, the non-gardener's house :-)) It's very similar to having a layer of moss growing on top of a shady planting bed - doesn't really affect the growth of any other plants and relatively easy to scrape off if you dislike its presence.

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