Procumbent Pearlwort

A small grass like perennial weed which forms shallow mats of vegetation. It spreads by short stolons and has smooth stems. It may, or may not, have small white dot sized flower petals, but will have 4 green sepals during flowering from May to September. Small fruiting capsules are no longer than 3mm. It is common on turf surfaces that are thin or bare, and it is indicative of turf which has been cut too short, with the weed being able to better compete against stressed turfgrass plants in this condition. It prefers moisture retentive turf, especially those with a thatch layer, and will grow over a wide range of pH levels but will not tolerate shade conditions. Its scientific name is Sagina procumbens.