Life cycle
Perennial
Growth habit
Low, trailing, less than 1 ft. tall; stolons root to form a chain of new plants; trifoliate leaves with rounded teeth.
Reproduction
Reproduces by seeds and rooted stolons; flowers yellow with 5 petals followed by strawberry-like fruit.
Conditions that favor growth
Tolerates shade and close mowing. Likes moist areas.
Photo: Rachel Rhodes, UME
Management in lawns
Lawn care practices
Maintain healthy, dense turf that can compete and prevent weed establishment.
Mechanical management
Hand pull or use an appropriate weeding tool as soon as the infestation is noticed. Hand pulling when the soil is moist makes the task easier.
Manage Weeds Without Chemicals
Chemical treatment in lawns
If you choose this option, spot treat weeds with a liquid, selective, postemergent, broadleaf weed killer applied when weeds are actively growing. Look for a product with one or more of the following active ingredients: 2, 4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), Dicamba*, or Triclopyr.
*Do not spray herbicides containing dicamba over the root zone of trees and shrubs. Roots can absorb the product possibly causing plant damage. Refer to the product label for precautions.