Turf Weeds was developed to provide weed management information and newsearch reports to turfgrass managers.  This site contains information on weed identification, chemical and cultural management of weeds, and current topics relevant to weed management in lawns and professional turf.  Turf Weeds was created  by Dr. Shawn Askew, Assistant Professor of Turfgrass Weed Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
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Plant Description:
Name:prostrate knotweed
Scientific Name:Polygonum aviculare
Family:Polygonaceae
Type:Broadleaf
Lifecycle:Summer Annual
Habit:Emerges in the early spring, but can continue to emerge in the late spring and summer as well. Flowering occurs from June through November.
Leaves:Leaves begin looking almost grass-like leaves and have a waxy whitish coating. Mature leaves are broad leaves that are narrowed at the base, ranging from lanceolate, elliptic to oblong shapes. The petioles are short and have a conspicuous ocrea sheathing the stem at the leaf base.
Leaf Arrangement:Alternate
Characteristics:The plant forms mats or clusters of dead mesh-like stems that remain throughout the winter.
Flower Seed Head:Flowers appear in 1 to 5 axillary clusters. They are small white to green with some pinkish margins, lacking petals.
Seed Fruit:The friut contains the seed (achene). Achense are about 2 to 3 mm long teardrop-shaped with dark reddish brown to black coloring.
Where Found:Prostrate knotweed can infest turfgrass, nursery crops, landscapes, and areas that is damaged by traffic such as pathways. Grows good in stressed areas.

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