Cooperative Extension Service
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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Mulberry Weed: Identification and Control

Mark Czarnota, Ph.D., Ornamental Weed Control Specialist
Department of Horticulture, 1109 Experiment Street
Griffin, GA 30223

Mulberry weed (Fatoua villosa) (Figures 1 and 2), gives growers and extension agents a lot of problems. Also called crabweed or hairy crabweed, it invades landscapes, field nurseries and containerized ornamentals.

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Figure 1. Mulberry weed (Fatoua villosa) in flower.		Figure 2. Mulberry weed (Fatoua villosa) plant.

In addition to Georgia, it has been reported in Arkansas and all states east of the Mississippi from Florida to Indiana.

Plant Characteristics:

Mulberry weed is a herbaceous annual, with a taproot. Leaves are alternate and serrated along the margins. Purplish green flowers are without petals, and are produced in 1 inch clusters (cymes) in leaf axils. The plant grows to 3 or 4 feet tall.

Control Measures:

Generally, broad spectrum post emergent herbicides are used to control mulberry weed.

Dr. Joe Neal, a researcher at North Carolina State University has performed extensive studies on the biology and control of this plant, recommends the following preemergent herbicides:

For more information, check out his web page write-up on mulberry weed (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/weeds/index.html)

Other Tips:

• Don't let weeds go to flower. If you see flowers, seeds are on the way, and they only lead to more plants.
• Keep vegetation mowed around production areas as far back as possible.
• if you see any plants growing, eliminate them as soon as possible.
• Rotate preemergence herbicides so the plants are exposed to different herbicide chemistry. In other words, don't use Surflan followed by Factor. Both have the same mode of action. Instead, rotate to something like Gallery, which has a very different mode of action from Surflan or Factor. For excel-lent weed control, try tank mixing Gallery with products like Surflan. It provides an excellent spec-trum of weed control. As always, read and follow product labels.

Attention!

Pesticide Precautions

• It is the responsibility of the pesticide user to observe all directions, restrictions and precautions on pesticide labels. It is dangerous, wasteful and illegal to do otherwise.
• Store all pesticides in original containers with labels intact and behind locked doors. KEEP PESTICIDES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
• Use pesticides at correct label dosage and intervals to avoid illegal residues or injury to plants and animals.
• Use pesticides carefully to avoid drift or contamination of non-target areas.
• Surplus pesticides and containers should be disposed of in accordance with label instructions so contamination of water and other hazards will not result.
• Follow directions on the pesticide label regarding restrictions as required by State or Federal Laws and Regulations.
• Avoid any action that may threaten an endangered species or its habitat. Your county extension agent can inform you of endangered species in your area, help you identify them and, through the Fish and Wildlife Service Field Office, identify actions that may threaten endangered species or that habitat.

Trade and brand names are used only for information. The Cooperative Extension Service, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences does not guarantee nor warrant published standards on any product mentioned; neither does the use of a trade or brand name imply approval of any product to the exclusion of others which may also be suitable.

Circular 867-5/May, 2004

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director