Lawn Weeds in Utah

Utah has many common weeds that grow in lawns throughout the state. Although some of the weeds do produce pretty colorful flowers, they are still an unwanted weed that homeowners don't want in their lawns. There are over 20 different weed types, but some are more common than others.

Black Medic

The black medic is a short lived perennial or annual weed that has trailing stems and at maturity has black seed pods. The weed produces clusters of small yellow flowers. Black medic has prominent veins with three leaflet leaves.

Chickweed

Chickweed is common in Utah. It produces a vining stem that has star like white flowers. The small leaves are oval and smooth. The chickweed is an annual weed. The chickweed can form mats in the lawn up to 16 inches long. The weed itself can grow to eight inches tall if not cut down. Chickweed has been used as a medicinal cream for burns, rashes and eczema, but is still considered an unwanted weed in lawns.

Dandelion

The dandelion is common in Utah and is considered a cool season perennial. The weed usually blooms from March through the later part of November. The weed produces a colorful yellow flower on a long stem. Dandelions can overpower a lawn if not stopped. Instead of a green lawn, all you would see is yellow dots all over the lawn. The dandelion does have medicinal values as its roots and stems are used as to make a laxative and an anti-inflammatory.

Ground Ivy

The ground ivy or creeping Charlie as some call it, grows hardy in shaded areas. The weed produces a funnel type flower in blue to lavender. The weed is a cool season perennial that will root wherever the square stem joints touch the soil. At one time, the ground ivy was considered a medicinal herb.

Quackgrass

The cool season quackgrass is a perennial that spreads over the lawn through the underground roots and stems. The lower part of the leaf sheath is hairy and the leaf blades are two times wider than the blade of bluegrass. The Latin name for the quackgrass is "sudden field of fire."