Some of the most common weeds in lawns and landscapes throughout Florida include spurge, doveweed, nutsedge, dollarweed, and crabgrass. Luckily, because they are so common, we have gotten pretty good at identifying and controlling them. These common species are also easy to find in most lawn weed guides or on university websites and control information is listed on most herbicide labels.

The problem is that, of course, there are also many "uncommon" or "new" weed species that aren't in most weed guides or on many pesticide labels. These weeds may only be an issue in a small geographic location and can be harder to identify or might be confused with a more common look-a-like. In most cases, these weeds are not really new and are relatively common depending on what area you are in. The following weeds are some of the most common "uncommon" species in Florida that are not widespread but can still wreak havoc in planting beds or in turf.

Artillery weed or Artillery Fern (Pilea microphylla)

Artillery weed (also known as artillery fern) is a short lived perennial weed with small green leaves that has a fern-like appearance although it's not really a fern. It is one of the most common "new" weed species in landscape planting beds, hardscape areas, and even in turf. It germinates and grows almost year-round in Florida. People often bring this weed in to Extension offices because it is not well-controlled with glyphosate. For preemergence control, prodiamine (Barricade), indaziflam (Specticle), oxadiazon (Ronstar) and flumioxazin (SureGuard) offer good control. For postemergence control, glufosinate (Finale), flumioxazin (SureGuard), oxadiazon (Ronstar FLO), and diquat (Reward) have been effective in research trials.

Florida pellitory (Parietaria floridana)

Florida pellitory, also known as "clear weed" is an erect cool-season annual that prefers shady wet areas. It is very commonly misidentified as chickweed due to the similar leaf shape. The most obvious different between chickweed and Florida pellitory are the stems and the flowers. Florida pellitory has translucent or almost clear stems while chickweed does not. Florida pellitory also flowers in the leaf axil where the leaf meets the stem. Most non-selective or broadleaf herbicides are effective for controlling Florida pellitory if used according to the label.

Tassel-flower (Emilia spp.)

Tassel-flower is not common in most weed control guides but it is a very common species in parts of Florida and seems to be spreading. There are several species of weeds that are called Tassel-flowers and all are very similar in appearance. They have a dandelion-type seed head and flowers are typically red, pink, or purple. Seeds are spread by wind for the most part. If it is growing in a turf area that is mowed regularly, you may never see a flower head, but you can use the leaves for identification. The leaves have toothed margins and clasp the stem, that is, they have no petiole that attaches the leaf to the stem. Most postemergence herbicides provide good control of this weed, but controlling it with preemergence herbicides is much more of a challenge.