Last Updated on June 3, 2020 by Caroline Warwick

Welcome to Weed Science Wednesday, a weekly series aimed at helping homeowners and horticulture professionals better identify and manage common landscape weeds in Florida.

This week’s weed of the week is Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata). Eclipta occurs in moist, disturbed areas from spring to fall, usually in full sun. Eclipta are often found in drain holes of containers or near irrigation risers, and grow up to three feet tall.

Eclipta can be recognized with their red-to-purple-tinted stems covered with short, stiff hairs and small white flowers. Flowers form in early spring or fall, and upon maturity, can produce up to 17,000 seeds in one growing season.

For more information on Eclipta, including specific recommendations for chemical, physical and cultural weed controls, please consult Biology and Management of Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) in Ornamental Crop Production.

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