Doveweed: The Grassy Weed That Isn’t

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— Written By Thomas Glasgow and last updated by Jami Hooper
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As of early October, doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora) is one of the more noticeable low-growing weeds in our landscape beds. Doveweed germinates and gets going a little later than most of our summer annual weeds, and it also flowers fairly late in the season. It can form a dense mat, especially if left uncontrolled over a period of
years in the same place. Doveweed is considered to be difficult to control, but one meaningful step you can take now is to hand pull as much of it as possible so as to reduce seed production for next year.
Doveweed resembles a grass, but in fact is in the spiderwort or dayflower family (Commelinaceae). Look for the succulent, trailing stems that root at the nodes; the  sharply pointed leaf tips; and the attractive flowers, which can be seen this time of year. The images below will assist in locating and confirming doveweed in your landscape. See the note linked above for additional information and images. As always, if you are uncertain about identification, feel free to bring samples to your nearest Extension center.
Doveweed leaves

Note pubescence at the bases of the leaves and on the leaf sheaths.

Doveweed bloom

In flower, late September.

Doveweed and centipedegrass

Colliding and merging of doveweed from the left and centipedegrass from the right. The white
arrow points to a doveweed stem; the red arrow to a doveweed flower; the pink arrow to a
centipedegrass leaf blade. Easy to see how doveweed could be mistaken for a grass, especially
early in the season.

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Written By

Thomas Glasgow, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionThomas GlasgowCounty Extension Director, Horticulture Agent Call Thomas Email Thomas N.C. Cooperative Extension, Craven County Center
Posted on Sep 29, 2020
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