Florida Pusley

Florida Pusley

Is a summer annual found most often in warm season turfgrass areas. The leaves can be hairy and are grow opposite one another on hairy stems.rThis low-growing, loosely branched annual is common in tropical areas. The entire plant is covered with soft hairs. Broad, oval leaves taper to a point and are opposite each other along the main stems. Florida pusley often hugs the ground, forms dense patches and easily smothers good turf. Clusters of tiny, white, star-shaped flowers are found at the base of the uppermost leaves. Branches are often tinged with red. Florida pusley is also known as Mexican clover.rThe growth in maintained turf areas is usually low and prostrate to the ground, forming thick patches. The growth can be erect with infrequent mowing and usually will not root at the nodes.rThe flowers are white and grow in clumps at the end of the stems. The flower is star shaped with six parts connected to form a tube and will flower anytime the temperature is above freezing.rNormally spreads by seed and is found in areas of the United States where warm-season grasses proliferate. rIt is also an aggressive creeper and will take over turfgrass areas which are thin and poorly maintained. In the South, where constant heat is a factor in turf management, regular irrigation to prevent the wilting of grass plants can assist the turfgrass to compete with.rAlthough small infestations can be physically removed, larger infestations will likely required postemergent herbicide treatment. For optimum control, make your herbicide application when Florida Pusley is actively growing and in the seedling to flower stage of growth.

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