Virginia Buttonweed Control

Filed Under:

Weed Control for Forages, Turfgrass and Lawn Management

Publication Number: P3672

Virginia buttonweed (Diodia virginiana L.) is a troublesome turfgrass weed throughout the state of Mississippi and in the surrounding southeastern states. It is a spreading, perennial broadleaf that reproduces by seed, fleshy roots, and stem fragments. It has opposite, lance-shaped leaves that produce small, four-lobed, white flowers (Figures 1 and 2) that mature into small, elliptical-shaped seed pods. Purple leaves during late spring to early summer emergence are a distinguishing characteristic of this particular weed (Figure 3).

The white four-lobed flowers of Virginia buttonweed in centipedegrass. The flowers of the Virginia buttonweed are the same height as the centipedegrass. — **Figure 1. Virginia buttonweed in centipedegrass.**

Up-close shot of a Virginia buttonweed four-lobed white flower. The flower is smaller than the green and purplish-red buttonweed leaves surrounding it. — **Figure 2. Virginia buttonweed’s characteristic white, four-petaled flower.**

Older, larger leaves of Virginia buttonweed stand out from the surrounding grass. Some leaves on the buttonweed are bright green and some leaves are dark purple. — **Figure 3. Characteristic purpling of older leaves. This is especially evident after environmental or herbicide stress.**

Virginia buttonweed favors moist to wet areas but can become a nuisance throughout a lawn. The plant spreads outward in a mat and rarely grows much taller than normal turfgrass mowing heights. Because it can reproduce vegetatively and through seed distribution within the thatch layer, preemergence herbicides provide only fair control. For this reason, combining cultural controls with postemergence herbicides is the most effective means of management.

Cultural Prevention

As with most weeds, Virginia buttonweed is especially problematic in poor turf stands. Improving stand density of turfgrass can be helpful; however, excess fertilization and moisture may contribute to the increased invasiveness of this pest. A brief guide to nutrient and moisture management for turfgrass can be found in MSU Extension Publication 1322 Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn.

Herbicide Recommendations

Premixed products containing phenoxy herbicides, such as 2,4-D, mecoprop, and dicamba (Trimec, Speedzone, Spotlight, Weed B Gon, etc.), are effective if applied several times during the growing season. These “broadleaf”-specific herbicides are most often available for homeowners at local lawn and garden stores. Commercial applicators may find that the phenoxy-type herbicide fluroxypyr and equivalent mixtures (e.g., Escalade 2) provide better control than those previously mentioned.

The sulfonylurea herbicides, such as chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron, are also very effective at extremely low use rates. In trials at Mississippi State University, metsulfuron-methyl (MSM-Turf or Manor) and flazasulfuron (Katana) have provided good to excellent control of Virginia buttonweed as well as white clover (Trifolium repens). Commercial applicators may find that products such as Celsius (containing thiencarbazone and iodosulufron, in addition to dicamba) provide better control of a range of broadleaf weeds, in addition to Virginia buttonweed.

Be sure to properly calibrate application equipment and apply herbicides accurately to prevent turf and landscape injury. Read product labels carefully and completely, as not all products can be applied to all warm-season turf species. More specific information on controlling weeds in home lawns can be found in the turf section of MSU Extension Publication 1532 Weed Control Guidelines for Mississippi.

**Table 1. Postemergence herbicides for Virginia buttonweed control in turf.**
Herbicide	Bermudagrass	Carpetgrass	Centipedegrass	St. Augustinegrass	Zoysiagrass	Tall Fescue	Expected Virginia Buttonweed Control
	Turfgrass Species Use Recommendation
2,4-D	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Fair
Blindside	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Excellent
Celsius	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Good
Celsius XTRA	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Good
Change-Up	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Excellent
Dicamba	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Good
Escalade 2	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Excellent
Monument	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Excellent
MSM-Turf or Manor	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Good
Recognition	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Good
Speedzone Southern	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Good
Trimec or Vessel	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Good
Trimec Southern	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Good

Publication 3672 (POD-07-24)

By Jay McCurdy, PhD, Associate Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences.

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