Thanks for the replies. In the reading that I have done, I have come across wild violet and it looked right to me, but i've never seen it produce a flower like any description of wild violet i've read. Also I'm no expert and my lawn was well established before i moved into the house, but I think that it is Bermuda as you mentioned. I definitely don't want to harm the rest of the lawn while trying to get rid of the weed. Are there any other suggestions for helping to treat it?

The gardener's definition of a weed is any plant that is growing in a place that you don't want it to be growing. If you want it there, it is not a weed. My wife asks people the following question: "what is the difference between a perennial and a weed?". Her answer: "$9.99". There is some truth to it. I'd identify the plant, however. You may like it now, but will you like it if it spreads over the entire yard? Into your gardens? Know the plant's habits and profile and you can make an informed decision. It really is that simple.

Looks like nutsedge. It has invaded my lawn, too. I'm looking into products like Sedgehammer, and I've previously used Manage. Whatever is used, it will take a few applications to destroy it.

I've been looking all over for this and I think lisanti07028 and eline65 is right, Slender Aster. Here are some of my photos of 4 that I pulled up: If this is right and it is Slender Aster (AKA: Wild Aster, Panicled Aster and Salt Marsh Aster) then here is what I know about them. Wait until a day after a very heavy rain... if the ground is soggy, then that is ideal. They will fell like a miniature bush and not succulent like the pictures seem to convey. Get each branch that is down low, usually running under grass and pull them to the top and grasp them firmly and slowly pull straight up. They will come out easily with the full tap root. If they ground is not moist enough they will always break off at soil level. Although one photo indicates the root is off to the side, that one I pull up under a raised garden structure and was growing out from under a board. So expect to have the tap root straight down. They are perennial (but some sources say they are summer annual weed), regardless the flower heads have tons of seeds so if you pull them early before they bloom then you have significantly reduced new growth. Apparently a hard winter will kill them off, but not the seeds. Best control is a pre emergent herbicide such as Halts. Next best is a post emergent herbicide 2, 4-D+MCPP+Dicamba (which as I understand is Trimec) but it needs to be applied to growing plants in the Spring since by Fall they start to get woody and are much harder to kill. I'm far from being an expert on this (just found what this weed was that I've had for about five years) but I would suggest pulling them after a heavy rain at the end of Summer and then using Halts around February, and when they first start appearing pull them after a heavy rain. This year I didn't use Halts and I think they are worse. Some neighbors have their whole yard covered in them and it's generally those houses that were up for sale and not mowed regularly.