Doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora) is an aggressive summer annual weed common in the Southeast United States. It rapidly forms dense mats, crowding out desirable turfgrass. Control is difficult due to its late-season germination and natural tolerance to many common broadleaf herbicides. Managing an infestation requires a comprehensive, multi-year strategy combining cultural practices with targeted chemical treatments.
Identifying Doveweed and Understanding Its Growth Cycle
Doveweed is a warm-season annual that completes its life cycle within one growing season, dying with the first hard frost. Seeds typically emerge late, waiting until soil temperatures consistently reach 60°F to 70°F. This delayed germination often causes standard pre-emergent herbicide applications to fail.
The plant is often mistaken for grass due to its fleshy, linear, and grass-like leaves, which can be up to four inches long and have parallel veins. Unlike turfgrasses, doveweed features creeping stems (stolons) that grow horizontally and root extensively at the nodes. A key identification marker is its small, three-petaled flowers that are light blue or purple and appear in clusters near the leaf axils from mid-summer through fall. The shiny, somewhat rubbery texture and waxy coating of its leaves also contribute to its resistance to herbicides.
Non-Chemical and Cultural Control Methods
For small infestations, manual removal requires careful technique. The plant’s succulent stems root easily at the nodes, so any pieces left behind can quickly re-establish. To prevent regrowth, the entire root system and all stolons must be completely removed, which is easiest when the soil is moist.
Cultural practices focus on making the lawn environment less welcoming. Adjusting irrigation is crucial; watering deeply but infrequently allows the soil surface to dry out between waterings. This encourages deeper turf roots while discouraging the shallow-rooted weed.
Maintaining a healthy, dense turfgrass canopy is an important preventative measure. Mowing at the proper height for your specific grass type keeps the turf thick, shading the soil and preventing sunlight from reaching the seeds. A dense lawn naturally crowds out the weed, starving it of the light and space it needs to germinate and spread.
Effective Chemical Treatment Options
Chemical control is necessary for moderate to severe infestations, utilizing both pre-emergent and post-emergent strategies. Because doveweed germinates later, pre-emergent herbicides must be applied later in the spring or split into two applications. Effective pre-emergent ingredients include Indaziflam, Prodiamine, and S-metolachlor, which prevent sprouting.
For existing, actively growing doveweed, post-emergent herbicides are required. Many common broadleaf weed killers containing 2,4-D or dicamba provide only fair control because the weed’s waxy cuticle makes penetration difficult. Highly effective post-emergent options contain active ingredients such as sulfentrazone, metsulfuron-methyl, or the combination found in products like Celsius WG.
These stronger herbicides often require a non-ionic surfactant mixed into the spray solution to help the chemical stick to and penetrate the waxy leaf surface. Post-emergent applications are most effective when the weed is young, and multiple applications spaced two to four weeks apart are typically needed to fully eradicate the infestation. Always check the label to ensure the product is safe for your specific type of turfgrass, as some ingredients can damage warm-season grasses like St. Augustine or Centipede.
Long-Term Suppression and Prevention
A multi-year plan is required for complete suppression because doveweed seeds can remain dormant for several years. The strategy must integrate proper timing of chemical applications with ongoing cultural maintenance. This involves annual pre-emergent treatment, with a second application in early summer, to prevent late-germinating seeds from emerging.
Improving turfgrass health is the best long-term defense, as a thick lawn is the most effective competitor. This involves routine soil testing to ensure proper nutrient balance and pH, along with core aeration to reduce compaction and improve drainage. Overseeding thin areas helps increase turf density, choking out space where doveweed could establish itself.