(Carpet weed)
Mollugo verticillata
Family: Molluginaceae
[*=left]Grows prostrate along the ground.
[*=left]Light green leaves that grow in whorls.
[*=left]Whorls have five to eight leaves that are widest in the middle and narrowest at the base and ends.
[*=left]Small white flower with five petals.
[*=left]Long slender stems.
Weed Identification
Carpetweed is a summer annual weed that grows prostrate along the ground. It is sometimes confused with other lawn weeds, such as Carolina Geranium. Once the seeds have germinated it can grow and spread quickly. However, it doesn’t like competition from turfgrass, so it is most commonly seen in dirt patches or in thin grass. It forms long, smooth stems that branch out in all directions.
The leaves of carpetweed grow in whorls along the stem. This is one of the unique qualities of this weed. Each whorl is set a distance from the next whorl on the stem so that the leaves barely touch each other.
Carpetweed produces small, white flowers with five petals. Each whorl will produce two to five flowers that grow from the joint between the leaves and stem.
Carpetweed will climb if growing next to a fense, but will grow prostrate in open ground.
Cultural practices
The prostrate growth habit prefers sparse areas where lawn grass is thin. These thin grassy areas also allow the seeds to receive enough sunlight to quickly germinate as soon as the soil reaches the proper temperatures. The best way to keep carpetweed and other lawn weeds under control is to have a thick, vigorously growing lawn. This will keep most lawn weeds out and cut down on the amount of herbicides used. Established weeds can be pulled up by hand.
Herbicide use
One way to control carpetweed is to use preemergent herbicides. Preemergent herbicides work by blocking seeds from germinating, but will not affect growing lawn weeds. Many preemergents are available to homeowners. Oryzalin, pendimethalin, or benefin are examples of available products.
Once the weed has established you will need to use a post- emergent herbicide. Products with three or four active ingredients are best for most lawn weeds. Dicamba plus 2,4-D should be two of the active ingredients in the formulation.