Broadleaf weeds are generally the easiest to identify of all the weeds. They have leaves
that are broad, and are generally produced in pairs or multiples, have
wide, flat leaves situated on a stem. Broadleaf weeds are distinctive
from and are botanically not closely related to grasses and sedges.
Broadleaf leaves may be simple (having one leaflet, like dandelion) or compound
(having more than one leaflet, like clover). Veins within the leaf give
a netted appearance in most cases.
A dense, healthy stand of grass is the best way to reduce broadleaf
weeds in home lawns. To achieve a healthy lawn, plant the best-adapted
turfgrass species and use accepted turf management practices. Even with
proper management, however, the best-cared-for lawns can still be invaded
by troublesome broadleaf weeds. These may require the careful and selective
use of broadleaf weed control herbicides.
Broadleaf Weed Name |
Description |
Photo ID |
| Broadleaf Dock |
Broadleaf dock / curly dock has a bright, shiny green, lance-shaped
leaves that appear in the spring. In the summer and fall, the wavy puckered edges of the
leaves are tinted a reddish purple. Small greenish flowers appear on a tall, narrow spike
that arises from the center of the plant. |
 |
| Broadleaf Plantains |
Broadleaf plantain is a common broadleaf weed in lawns. It is a cool-season
perennial weed found practically in any habitat. The leaves are arranged in a rosette and
have prominent veins. |
 |
| Buckhorn Plantain |
Buckhorn plantain forms a spreading or upright basal rosette of narrowly
oval leaves that grow above a long, sturdy taproot with lateral branches. Leaves of buckhorn
plantains are sometimes twisted and curled, narrowly oval, dark green, and up to 1 1/2" wide and 8" long. |
 |
| Carolina Geranium |
The plant produces a deep taproot. Flowers have five pink to lavender
petals. Seeds have a conspicuous cranesbill beak about 1/2" long. |
 |
| Carpet Weed |
Carpetweed is a summer annual with a short taproot. Seeds lie dormant
over the winter and sprouts slowly in the spring. Once it sprouts it grows rapidly in the
summer heat. |
 |
| Chickweed |
Chickweed is a prolific spring weed as it thrives under cool, wet
conditions. It rarely tolerates hot, dry conditions that occur in late spring or early
summer. Other common names for chickweed include starweed, winterweed, satin flower and
tongue grass. |
 |
| Curly Dock |
Curly dock has a bright, shiny green, lance-shaped leaves that appear
in the spring. In the summer and fall, the wavy puckered edges of the leaves are tinted
a reddish purple. Small greenish flowers appear on a tall, narrow spike that arises from
the center of the plant. |
 |
| Dandelion |
Dandelions are a persistent weed problem. Each seed head of a mature
plant produces thousands of weed seeds that float easily in the breeze. So if anyone in
your immediate vicinity has dandelions, you can count on you having them too. |
 |
| Ground Ivy |
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) also known as Creeping Charlie,
is an aggressive, low-growing, perennial invader of lawns, vegetable gardens, and flower
beds. It thrives in moist, shady areas, as well as sunny locations. The scalloped leaves
are round or kidney-shaped and are attached by petioles to square stems. Ground ivy roots
at each joint whenever it touches the soil, thus making it difficult to hand pull. |
 |
| Henbit |
Henbit is responsible for painting many lawns with a pinkish purple
cast in the early spring. It emerges in the fall and has square stems, the upper leaves
of which appear to encircle the entire stem. It grows in an upright position, seldom reaching
heights greater than 12". The flowers range from pink to purple. |
 |
| Lambsquarters |
Lambsquarters is usually found in low-maintenance turf situations.
Proper mowing will usually control lambsquarter due to its upright growth habit. It establishes
easier in spring-seeded cool-season turf that enters the summer in a thin state. |
 |
| Violets |
Violets (Viola species) include several cool-season annuals and perennials
with low-growing habits. These species are very shade tolerant and prefer lawns located
on moist, fertile soils. Violets tend to be most visible during cool weather of spring
and fall. |
 |
| White Clover |
White clover is a perennial broadleaf weed. It is commonly found in
the northern half of the United States. |
 |
| Yellow Wood Sorrel |
Common wood sorrel is a plant from the Oxalis genus. It flowers for
a few months during the spring, with small white flowers with pink streaks. Red/violet
flowers occur, but rarely. The binomial name is Oxalis acetosella, because of its sour
taste. |
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