Florida Pusley

Richardia scabra

Weed Description
Florida pusley is a summer annual found most often in warm season turfgrasses. Growth can either be prostrate or erect, depending on mowing frequency. This weed is primarly isolated to the southeastern United States.

Leaves
Oppositely arranged, lanceolate shaped, and measure 1 to 3 inches in length and 1 inch in width. Leaves are connected by a sheath with multiple upright, hair-like appendages measuring 2-5 mm in length.

Stems
Are hairy and may reach 2.5 feet in height if allowed to grow in an upright habit. Stems do not normally root at the nodes.

Flowers
Florida pusley flowers are arranged in a terminal head-like cluster, holding 20 or more white, 6-lobed flowers.

Roots
Fibrous root system from a taproot that is shallowly buried beneath the soil.

Identifying Characteristics
Slightly erect or prostrate summer annual, pubescent stems and leaves, and multiple white flowers clustered together with 6 lobes are all identifying characteristics of Florida pusley.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Florida Pusley

Richardia scabra

Trouble identifying a weed?