Georgia Lawn Weed Control Fact Sheet Virginia Buttonweed (Diodia virginiana) Introduction: Virginia buttonweed is spreading perennial that is difficult to control in landscape situations. It is common in moist sites in woods, marshes, and turf. Leaves often turn mottled yellow in summer as a result of a virus.

Green fruit in leaf axils	Virus-infected leaves
Description: A low growing, spreading weed with hairy branched stems. Leaves are opposite, elliptic to lance shaped and are joined across the stem by a membrane. Virginia buttonweed has white tubular flowers with four lobes at each leaf axil along the stem. This weed species produces green, elliptically shaped fruit that is hairy and ridged and is found at each leaf axil. Virginia buttonweed reproduces by seeds, and root and stem pieces. Preemergence Control: There is not an effective preemergence herbicide for the control of Virginia buttonweed in turfgrasses. Postemergence Control: Most herbicides only offer 70-80% control and repeat applications are usually needed every 4 to 6 weeks during the summer months. In bermudagrass, centipedegrass, tall fescue and zoysiagrass use a herbicide that contains 2,4-D+MCPP+dicamba (ex. Weed-B-Gon Lawn Weed Killer). Keep these products away from exposed tree and shrub roots and do not reseed for 3 to 4 weeks. In centipedegrass and St. Augustinegrass, preemergence applications of atrazine (ex. Purge II, Bonus S) will help to control Virginia buttonweed plants that arise from seed, but will not effectively control plants that regrow from roots. Refer to specific product label for rate of application, and be sure to follow all label recommendations and precautions. Virginia buttonweed flourishes in wet conditions. Be sure to control excess water. Provide good drainage to areas infested with this weed. Control in Ornamentals: Glyphosate (ex. Roundup), provides 80-90% control of emerged plants. Take care to prevent drift of Roundup. Produced 9/99 by: Jeff Michel of the Glynn County Extension service in cooperation with Jake Price, of the Camden County Extension Service. Re-vised 10/02 by Jake Price