Description
Florida betony (Stachys floridana) is a hard-to-control perennial weed that emerges in the fall and becomes a problem in late winter and spring. It is easily recognized by the very characteristic white tuber that resembles a rattlesnake rattle. This weed also has square stems and produces white to pink flowers in the spring. It is found in the southern United States west to Texas and north to Virginia.
Cultural Control
Perennial broadleaf turf weeds are capable of living more than two years. They thrive in weak, thin turf; golf fairways and roughs; home lawns; playfields; and industrial grounds. Proper turf maintenance is the key to control of this weed. First, select adapted turfgrass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.
Species Data
- GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
- perennial weed
- GROWTH HABIT
- LEAFLET NUMBER
- one
Figure 3
- one
- LEAF MARGIN
- LEAF HAIRS
- none
- LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
- heart/kidney/spade
- LEAF WIDTH
- 1/2 - 1 inch
- LEAF VENATION
- palmate
- LEAF ARRANGEMENT
- opposite
- ROOT TYPE
- FLOWER COLOR
- white to pink
Figure 1. Florida betony growth habit.
Figure 2. Florida betony growth habit.
Figure 3. Florida betony leaflet number.
Figure 4. Florida betony leaf margin.
Figure 5. Florida betony leaf margin.
Figure 6. Florida betony leaf margin.
Figure 7. Florida betony leaf margin.
Figure 8. Florida betony leaf margin.
Figure 9. Florida betony root type.
Figure 10. Florida betony root type.
Figure 11. Florida betony root type.
Figure 12. Florida betony root type.
Publication date: Nov. 16, 2017
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