Lawn Burweed     Soliva pterosperma (Juss.) Less.
Also called Spurweed

Description excerpted from
Weeds of Southern Turfgrass, Cooperative Extension Service, The Universtiy of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Athens

Low growing, freely branched winter annual.  Leaves opposite, sparsely hairy and twice divided into narrow segments or lobes.  Flowers small and inconspicuous.  Fruits clustered in leaf axils having sharp spines that can cause injury to humans.  Reproduces by seed.  Generally found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont Regions of most southern states, North Carolina south in to Florida, and west to Texas.  Also occurs in South America and Europe.


Walker County Situation:  This weed has become an increasingly invasive plant in many grass communities.  Not only limited to lawns, some pastures have been noted with populations of  this plant. 

Although this plant is listed as a "cool season annual" we have regularly experienced it as a year round weed in many lawns.

Control is difficult in many situations.  Restricted use herbicides may be called for - some treatments are not compatible with all types of grasses or require extreme care and caution in use.  Due to the extenuating circumstances no "general" control recommendation fits all situations.  Contact the Walker County Extension Office for a recommendation to fit your situation.

The Walker County Extension Office may be contacted at (409) 435 - 2426.

Lawn Burweed Photo
Lawn Burweed Photo
Lawn Burweed Photo
Lawn Burweed Photo

Photos taken January 3, 2000
Reggie Lepley,
CEA-AG

Back to the Walker County Home Horticulture Page

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.   The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.  The information given herein is for educational purposes only.  Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.