Mystery Plant Survives Roundup and Treflan: Not a Green Plant

A homeowner struggles with a mum-like plant that has taken over a flower bed, resisting concentrated Roundup, heavy Treflan application, hoeing, and tilling. The plant regrows within a month, forming a carpet-like root system.

The expert points out a critical clue: Roundup kills green material (chlorophyll), and Treflan is a pre-emergent herbicide that inhibits seed germination. Since this organism survives both, it likely lacks chlorophyll and does not produce seeds. Therefore, it is not a green plant. This suggests the invader might be a fungus, algae, or other non-photosynthetic organism. The expert cannot identify it without more information but emphasizes that standard herbicides target green plants, so alternative identification and control methods are needed.

This case underscores the importance of accurate identification before treatment. If it's not a plant, herbicides won't work. A sample should be taken to a local extension service for proper diagnosis.