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Spurweed
(Soliva pterosperma), a.k.a. lawn burweed, stickerweed, sandbur, and sandspur.
Spurweed is a winter annual. This weed germinates in the early fall months as
temperatures cool and remains small or inconspicuous during the cold winter
months. However, as temperatures warm in the early spring, spurweed initiates a
period of rapid growth and begins to form spine-tipped burs. The sharp-tipped
spiny burs of this weed can cause minor irritation to the skin. Key
identification characteristics of spurweed are: 1) opposite, sparsely hairy
leaves that are divided into numerous segments, or lobes, b) small,
inconspicuous flowers, and c) spine tipped burs that are found in the leaf axils
(junction of leaf and stem). Spurweed attains an overall diameter of up to 6
inches and a height of about 3 to 4 inches. It is commonly found in the Southern
half of Arkansas.
Spurweed
can be easily controlled during the winter months. December, January and
February are ideal months to apply herbicides for the control of this weed.
However, the weed can also be effectively controlled in March in most areas of
Arkansas. On non-overseeded bermudagrass, Aatrex (a Restricted Use Herbicide),
simazine (Princep, others) and Sencor Turf will effectively control spurweed.
This group of herbicides should not be used on bermudagrass overseeded with a
cool-season turfgrass or on tall fescue, as they are injurious to cool-season
turfgrasses. The best option for control spurweed control by homeowners is a
postemergence application of one ofe the various two and three-way mixes of
2,4-D, dicamba and MCPP. Trimec is one of the most common trade names in this
category. These products can be used on tall fescue, fall overseeded
bermudagrass in which the overseeded cool-season grass has been mowed four to
five times and non-overseeded bermudagrass. This group of products should be
applied on a warm (air temperatures at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit), sunny day.
Two to three weeks after the initial application, spurweed control should be
evaluated. If control is not acceptable, an additional application may be
necessary.
The
key factor to effectively controlling spurweed is to apply an appropriate
herbicide during the winter months. Spurweed is small and easier to control at
this time of the year than in April and May. Also, turfgrasses are not actively
growing during the winter months and have better tolerance to some herbicides.
Spurweed can be controlled in late-March, April and early May. However, two main
facts should be considered. Spurweed begins to die as late spring temperatures
approach 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the plant is harder to control once the spiny
burs or stickers have formed. Multiple herbicide applications are usually
necessary, which increases the risk of temporary injury to the turfgrass.
Additionally, it takes time for the herbicide to control spurweed, and after
death, it takes time for the dead spurweed plants to decompose. Therein lies one
of the main problems with late treatments. Dead spurweed plants contain dead, or
brown spine-tipped burs. Dead or alive, the spiny burs still present a problem.
The only recourse at this point is to allow time for the plant to decompose.