Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - June 11, 2013
From: Dripping Springs, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification, Pests, Grasses or Grass-like
Title: What's invading my bermuda grass?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
Our grass is being totally overrun by this weed.(I don't know what the name is identify it by the description. It is in Bermuda grass and the only way to describe the weed is to say it looks like big patches of St Augustine. It grows in large clumps and has fairly shallow roots.It appears worst after a big rain. I've actually spent hours removing it only to have it return in double amounts. Any ideas?? It appears to have taken over at least a quarter of my lawn. Thank you,ANSWER:
It seems ironic that Bermuda grass (Cyanodon dactylon), introduced into the US from Africa and considered an invasive species , is being overgrown by another invasive species.
Its hard to identify a plant from a written description, but a couple of possibilities for your invader come to mind; Crabgrass and Dallisgrass.
This link for Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) has a description, and photos of the plant. Compare these with what’s in your yard. It also has methods for elimination.
This link for Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilitatum) also has a description and plant photos. Compare them with your weeds.
Another source of help is to contact the folks at the Hays County office of Texas AgriLife Extension.
More Plant Identification Questions
Plant Identification
June 07, 2009 - Having great difficulty identifying a perennial plant. Although it looks marvelous (coming in two shades), I haven't been able to correctly identify it. Local college feels it is Eupatorium Rugosum, ...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification, possibly Datura wrightii
August 25, 2010 - I have a plant in my back yard, it had big white trumpet flowers, and now it has huge green pods. Doesn't smell very nice. Could you tell me what it is?
view the full question and answer
Is there a red esperanza (Tecoma stans)?
October 06, 2011 - There is a red esperanza that I pass by everyday on my way home from work. I have never seen this plant anywhere but this particular spot. Is there really a variety that is red or do you think it is...
view the full question and answer
Picture in newspaper from Austin
June 02, 2012 - Your gardening story for the Jan 21,2012 in the Austin American Statesman pictured a pale green bush with purple flowers, however the plant was not identified. Can you tell me what it is?
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Identifying a plant similar to sarsaparilla
September 04, 2011 - I am trying to identify a plant that looks very similar to sasparilla, but has a ring of blue berries at the end of a long stalk, and the plant itself is spreading, not an isolated herb like sasparill...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |