Doveweed

Murdannia nudiflora

Weed Description
An annual weed that resembles a grass but has creeping stems that root at the nodes and purple or blue flowers. Doveweed is primarily a weed of turfgrass that is now found in eastern Virginia, but is most common from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas.

Leaves
Leaves are fleshy and linear in outline, approximately 3/4 to 4 inches long, 2 to 5 mm wide. Leaf sheaths have soft hairs on the upper margins.

Stems
Stems are not readily evident, but upon closer examination, stems can be seen close to the ground and rooting at the nodes.

Flowers
Flowers occur in small clusters on short flower stalks (peduncles). Flowers are blue to purple in color with petals that are 5 to 8 mm long.

Fruit
A capsule that is 3 to 5 mm wide.

Roots
A fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
Plants with fleshy, linear leaves that resemble some grasses. Also, the creeping stems and small blue or purple flowers of this weed help to identify it from most other similar weeds.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Doveweed

Murdannia nudiflora