“Pussy weed” is a common term for low-growing plants in lawns and gardens, often frustrating homeowners. While not a formal botanical name, it refers to widespread plants that quickly establish in turfgrass. Understanding and managing these plants is practical for maintaining a healthy landscape.
Identifying Pussy Weed
The term “pussy weed” refers to specific plant species known for their low-growing, spreading habits, including Richardia scabra (Florida Pusley) and Kummerowia striata (Japanese Clover or Common Lespedeza). These plants are considered weeds because they outcompete desirable turfgrass, forming dense mats that suppress healthy lawn growth. Their presence often indicates underlying issues with soil health or turf density.
Richardia scabra, or Florida Pusley, is a summer annual broadleaf weed that grows prostrate and spreading. Its stems and leaves are hairy, with leaves growing oppositely on the stems. The leaves are oval or elliptic, 8mm to 50mm long with pointed tips.
Florida Pusley produces small, tubular white flowers, often with six petals, which appear in clusters at the ends of its branches. These flowers can turn purple as they age. This plant is common in dry, disturbed locations, including lawns, pastures, and waste sites, and is widely distributed across the southeastern United States, Hawaii, and parts of Central and South America. It reproduces by seeds, which can germinate year-round in warmer climates, with optimal temperatures between 68°F and 95°F.
Kummerowia striata, commonly called Japanese Clover or Common Lespedeza, is another summer annual known for its ground-hugging, mat-forming growth habit. This plant features dark green, trifoliate leaves, composed of three oblong leaflets. These leaflets are smooth, about 0.75 inches long, and have parallel veins nearly perpendicular to a prominent mid-vein.
Small, single flowers, ranging from pink to purple, appear in the leaf axils from mid-summer into fall. Japanese Clover has a shallow taproot and can grow up to 16 inches tall, though it often remains low, making it difficult to cut with a mower. It thrives in areas with thin, under-fertilized turf and poor, dry, or compacted soils. Native to Asia, it has become an introduced species throughout much of the eastern United States.
Understanding the Name
The informal term “pussy weed” is attributed to the soft, fuzzy appearance of the plant’s flowers or seed heads. These textures might evoke a resemblance to the soft fur of a cat’s paw. It is a colloquial designation, widely used in casual conversation, rather than a scientific or formal botanical classification.
Effective Management Strategies
Managing “pussy weed” involves cultural practices, mechanical removal, and, when necessary, chemical control. A comprehensive approach suppresses existing weeds and prevents future infestations, promoting a healthier lawn. Addressing conditions that favor weed growth is often the most sustainable long-term solution.
Cultural Practices
Promoting dense, healthy turf is the primary defense against weed establishment. Maintaining a taller grass height (3-4 inches) shades the soil, inhibiting weed seed germination. Deep and infrequent irrigation encourages strong root systems in desirable turfgrass, enabling it to outcompete weeds like Florida Pusley and Japanese Clover. These weeds thrive in dry, thin, or compacted turf.
Regular fertilization based on soil test recommendations ensures the lawn receives necessary nutrients, fostering vigorous growth that naturally crowds out weeds. Japanese Clover is often associated with soils that have low nitrogen levels. Aerating compacted soils also improves turf health by allowing better air, water, and nutrient penetration to grass roots, making the lawn less hospitable to weeds.
Mechanical Control
For smaller infestations or as a preventative measure, mechanical control methods are effective. Hand-pulling is a viable option, especially for young weeds or when the soil is moist, which makes removal easier. For Florida Pusley, remove the entire taproot to prevent regrowth. Using a narrow trowel or knife can assist in loosening the soil before pulling.
Regular mowing, while not always effective for low-growing weeds like Japanese Clover, can help prevent the plants from going to seed and spreading. However, because these weeds often grow prostrate, they may evade mower blades. Mechanical removal is most successful when undertaken early, before weeds establish a large root system or produce numerous seeds.
Chemical Control
When cultural and mechanical methods are insufficient, chemical control using herbicides can be considered. Selective broadleaf herbicides are recommended for use in lawns, as they target weeds without harming desirable turfgrass. For Richardia scabra, products containing dicamba are effective. Other active ingredients like 2,4-D or metsulfuron also provide control, often found in combination products. Timing is important; post-emergent herbicides are most effective when applied to young, actively growing weeds.
For Kummerowia striata, a “three-way” broadleaf herbicide, including active ingredients like 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop (MCPP), can be used on various warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass. Metsulfuron and atrazine are effective post-emergent options for Japanese Clover in certain turf types. Pre-emergent herbicides, applied in early spring before weed seeds germinate, can prevent new plants from emerging. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s label directions for application rates, safety precautions, and turfgrass compatibility to avoid damaging the lawn.