Buttonweed
Diodia virginiana · Warm-season, Perennial, C3/C4 broadleaf weed often found in turf
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 10
Grass Family
Rubiaceae
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type
About This Grass
Prostrate or ascending perennial weed with square stems, opposite lanceolate leaves, and small, tubular, four-petaled white flowers resembling tiny buttons
Blade Characteristics
Opposite leaves with smooth margins, pointed tips, medium width, dark green color, prominent midvein, sessile or nearly sessile, with hairy stipules at the nodes
Root System
Fibrous roots originating from nodes along creeping stolons, establishing dense patches quickly
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern and southeastern United States, naturalized in various warm regions
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading aggressively by creeping stems, rooting at the nodes
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade, thrives in moist to wet soils, highly tolerant of poor drainage and waterlogged conditions
Mowing & Maintenance
Resilient to frequent mowing by growing close to the ground, high maintenance to eradicate once established due to rooting stolons
Special Characteristics
Tolerates wet soils, highly resistant to many standard selective herbicides, forms dense mats that crowd out desirable turfgrasses
Ecological Information
Often considered a persistent turf weed, provides minimal agricultural value but offers cover in damp natural settings