Dichondra (Dichondra repens)
Dichondra repens aka Kidney Weed or Asian Ponyfoot is a creeping perennial broadleaf weed. It spreads widely via underground stolons, and forms dense, low-growing mats in turf. The Ponyfoot name is due to the shape of its leaves.
Although it is often in use as an alternative ground cover, it becomes a problem in turfgrass when it starts to spread aggressively.
Dichondra is a member of the Morning Glory family, grows well in moist soils and is a good indicator weed for shade. Dichondra is often seen in thin, weak turfgrass
For more information, please check out our weed ID chart.
The distribution of Dichondra or Kidney Weed in Australia is courtesy of The Atlas of Living Australia.
After you read this, you will be able to:
- Identify Dichondra, Kidney Weed or Ponyfoot.
- Know the habitat of Dichondra.
- Know the best cultural and chemical options to control Kidney Weed.
Dichondra Identification.
Kidney Weed grows well in sunny spaces where moisture is constant, but does not favour areas with harsh Winters. It tolerates unfertile, fine textured soils, but does not grow well in saline or compact soils.
Category: broadleaf (Dicot).
Photosynthetic Pathway: C3 Weed.
Flower: In the Spring, Dichondra produces clusters of very small white flowers.
Height: Dichondra forms dense mats that are 37 to 75 mm in height.
Leaf Width: Its leaves are less than 12 mm wide.
Leaf shape: Kidney Weed has kidney shaped leaves.
Reproduction: Dichondra reproduces by seed and vegetatively via creeping stolons.
Comments: Both sides of the leaves have a cover of soft, greyish hairs, and it has smooth leaf margins. It does not tolerate frost. Dichondra is often confused with Dollarweed.
- Dichondra has kidney-shaped, almost circular leaves with smooth edges.
- Dollarweed leaves are completely circular.
- The stem of Kidney Weed is at the edge of the leaf, while the stem of Dollarweed is at the centre of the leaf.
Habitat:
How to remove Dichondra from your lawn.
Cultural control of Dichondra.
- Proper fertilization and keeping the soil at the right pH.
- Mow at the correct height of cut for the turf species present, and for the time of year.
- Deal with any compacted areas by aerating.
Cultural practices such as these promote a dense and vigorous turfgrass cover, and allow it to better compete with weeds like Dichondra.
As well as this, hand removal may also be necessary. Dichondra is a low-growing broadleaf weed that thrives in areas where the turfgrass is not competitive.
Chemical control of Dichondra.
In addition to cultural practices, you may need herbicides to control Ponyfoot.
Post Emergent Control of Dichondra.
Repeat applications of herbicides that contain 2,4-D are the most effective on Dichondra. Apply these herbicides in the Spring, from March to early May, and at temperatures that the turfgrass can tolerate.
Product labels will have information on safe application temperatures for turf species.
Non Selective Control of Dichondra.
- Glyphosate. Water quality is important for Glyphosate to work properly. High pH tank water, suspended solids or high water hardness all impact upon performance. If water quality is an issue Gilba Solutions recomends the use of ProForce Manta Ray.
- Numchuk Quad.
- ProForce Cortex Duo.
- Renegade.
