Field madder
Common Name:
field madder
Scientific Name:
Sherardia arvensis
Family:
Rubiaceae
Lifecycle:
Annual
Features
Low growing winter annual broadleaf. Stems pubescent with prominent edges. Stems often decumbent in growth, forming a dense clumping plant. Five to six leaves are whorled around primary stem. Leaves lanceolate, often turning upwards, becoming very compact at the apex of the plant. Solitary flowers white to purple with four distinct petals. Flowers produced at the plant apex.
Description
Common winter annual broadleaf weed of dormant warm-season turfgrass or cool-season turfgrass. More common in lower maintenance turfgrass and in thin dormant turfgrass. Whorled leaves, pubescent stems, and four petal flowers are distinguishing characteristics.