Lawn and Turfgrass Weeds: Wild Violet
Figure 1. Wild violets growing in a lawn in central Pennsylvania. Photo by Peter Landschoot, Penn State
This weed grows well in moist, fertile soils and can persist in full sun and shaded areas. Wild violet (Viola spp.) is an aggressive weed, spreading into non-infested areas via underground stems called rhizomes.
Life Cycle
Wild violet is a member of the violet family (Violaceae) and has a perennial life cycle. Plants form thick, branching rhizomes that give rise to new plants and serve as food storage and overwintering structures. Leaves and stems emerge from growing points on rhizomes in early spring, and new plants continue to develop throughout the growing season. Flowers are produced during April and May and are eventually replaced by seed-containing fruit capsules. Seeds germinate under cool, moist conditions and give rise to new plants.
Figure 2. Thick, branching rhizomes of wild violet. Photo by Peter Landschoot, Penn State
Identification
Wild violet plants produce low-growing rosettes of heart-shaped leaves with serrated margins. Leaves are hairless with glossy surfaces and can extend up to 3.5 inches in length. Flowers can be purple, violet, blue, or white, and are approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch across. Flowers develop on stalks that arise from growing points at the base of plants. Each flower has five petals, with two of the petals producing white hairs at the base.
Figure 3. Rosette of heart-shaped leaves of wild violet originating from a subsurface crown. Photo by Peter Landschoot, Penn State
Figure 4. Flowers of wild violet. Flowers have five petals that can take on a variety of colors. Photo by Peter Landschoot, Penn State
Management and Control
Wild violet is one of the most difficult weeds to control in lawns and other turf areas. Removal by hand is not effective unless rhizomes are excavated from the soil. Improving turf density through fertilization, regular mowing, and use of turfgrasses well-adapted to site conditions will help to slow the spread of this weed, but may not provide effective suppression once wild violet is established.
Herbicides containing triclopyr provide the best control of wild violet species; however, repeat application over the course of the growing season and over multiple years may be needed for effective control. Reasons for poor control of wild violet with postemergence herbicides include a thick, waxy cuticle that interferes with herbicide uptake and its strong recuperative potential due to robust underground rhizomes. Preemergence herbicides do not provide suppression or control of wild violet.
Postemergence herbicide products labeled for control of wild violet.
| Active ingredients | Product name(s)* |
|---|---|
| 2,4-D, fluroxypyr, triclopyr, and flumioxazin | Sure Power (ester formulation) |
| 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba | Super Trimec, Lesco Three-Way Ester II (ester formulations) |
| 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, and carfentrazone-ethyl | SpeedZone |
| 2,4-D, quinclorac, and dicamba | Quincept, 2DQ Herbicide |
| 2,4-D and triclopyr | Chaser (ester formulation) |
| 2,4-D and triclopyr | Chaser 2 Amine, Turflon II Amine |
| 2,4-D, triclopyr, dicamba, and pyraflufen-ethyl | 4-Speed XT (ester formulation) |
| 2,4-D, triclopyr, dicamba, and sulfentrazone | Foundation |
| 2,4-D, triclopyr, fluroxypyr, and sulfentrazone | Momentum 4-Score |
| carfentrazone-ethyl and quinclorac | SquareOne |
| fluroxypyr and triclopyr | Tailspin |
| MCPA, fluroxypyr, and triclopyr | Battleship III |
| MCPA, MCPP, dicamba, and carfentrazone-ethyl | PowerZone |
| MCPA, triclopyr, and dicamba | Cool Power (ester formulation) |
| MCPA, triclopyr, and dicamba | Eliminate |
| mesotrione | Tenacity |
| quinclorac | Drive XLR8, Quinclorac 1.5 L, Quinclorac 75 DF |
| quinclorac and prodiamine | Cavalcade PQ |
| quinclorac, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, and dicamba | Q4 Plus |
| sulfentrazone | Dismiss, Surepyc |
| sulfentrazone and carfentrazone-ethyl | Dismiss NXT |
| sulfentrazone and quinclorac | Solitare, Solitare WSL |
| triclopyr | Turflon Ester Ultra (ester formulation) |
| triclopyr and clopyralid | Confront, 2-D** |
| triclopyr and sulfentrazone | Tzone SE |
*Follow label precautionary statements, restrictions, and directions regarding tolerant turfgrass species, rates, and timing of applications.
**Clopyralid-containing products should not be used on residential lawns but can be used for treating weeds in non-residential turf.
References
Breedon, G.K., and J.T. Brosnan. 2019. Wild violet control in turfgrass (W 807). University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee Extension. 50 pp.
Hilty, J., 2017. Illinois wildflowers. Wild violet.
Patton, A.J., 2019. Turfgrass weed control for professionals. Purdue University Extension. 128 pp.
Uva, R.H., J.C. Neal, and J.M. DiThomaso. 1997. Weeds of the northeast. Cornell Univ. Press. 397 pp.
