Carpetweed

What it looks like

Grows flat against the ground in a smooth, hairless mat. Leaves grow in whorls of 5-6 around each stem joint, and tiny white flowers show up in the leaf joints from mid to late summer.

Often mistaken for: Other low-growing summer mat weeds like spurge or chickweed

When it shows up in the Triangle

Shows up through the summer, especially in thin, disturbed, or newly-seeded lawns here in the Triangle.

Where you’ll see it

Home lawns with bare, thin, or recently disturbed soil, including new seeding.

What you can do

• Keep the lawn thick and healthy so weeds don't have room to move in
• Avoid leaving bare or disturbed soil exposed for long
• Get new seeding established and filled in quickly
• Address any spots that stay thin or bare year after year