- Some Louisiana weeds are very invasive in lawns.Weed image by Necroborg from Fotolia.com
The mild to tropical climate in Louisiana makes it simple to have a lush, beautiful lawn. The frequency of sunny days paired with adequate rainfall make the state a good home for plant life. Unfortunately, weeds find the Louisiana soil and weather just as enjoyable as your grass. There are several types of invasive weeds native to Louisiana's lawns. - Cogongrass grows in circular patterns.Tall Grass Seed image by Jim Mills from Fotolia.com
Cogongrass is a type of weed that spreads rapidly in the spring months. Cogongrass is common in the southeastern part of Louisiana. Cogongrass grows in large patches and can reach up to 6 feet in height, all though 3 to 4 feet is the average. The roots of the weed form a deep knot underneath the ground. The blades of the cogongrass grass grow to 6 feet in height and 1 inch in width. They have a light-yellow in color, but may turn brown during the winter. From March to June, the cogongrass blooms white, cylindrical-shaped flowers. According to University of Georgia's Cogongrass.org, a glyphosate solution will kill the weed in a lawn. - Kudzu weeds spread rapidly.vine image by Fabio Barni from Fotolia.com
Originally brought to the United States from China, Kudzu is a vine plant. The vine grows leaflets in groups of three and sprouts dark-purple flowers, which hang in clusters. Kudzu spreads rapidly. According to the USDA Forest Service, the weed can grow 60 feet every season or roughly 1 foot each day. The weed is capable of uprooting large trees through sheer force of weight, as the plant can grow to weigh 400 pounds. The USDA Forest Service reports that basic weed removal chemicals such as glyphosate, triclopyr, metsulfuron, or picloram, paired with frequent mowing can control the weed in a lawn. - Purple loosestrife is a common weed.loosestrife on a meadow image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
Purple loosestrife commonly grows along the canals and marshes in Louisiana, but enjoys any area with standing water, such as a backyard pond. Purple loosestrife is a perennial. The weed grows tall and blooms with small, purple flowers. Purple loosestrife is often mistaken for a flower and planted in gardens. However, purple loosestrife is an invasive weed can do serious damage to lawns.
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