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How to control Liverwort #869931

Asked May 24, 2024, 12:16 PM EDT

Hi, I have some pesky groundcover growing/expanding onto a parking pad/gravel driveway. When wet it gets very slippery. Interested in controlling/killing it because it is a safety hazard. Believe it is liverwort (see attached photo). Have tried various methods of killing it, but nothing seems to be working. Do you have a recommendation? Thank you advance for the help! Heather

New Castle County Delaware

Expert Response

Liverworts are difficult to control and are resistant to many herbicides. I understand for management of liverworts it may be your best option is to scrape the plants out of the area where it is growing. It would likely take several times over a few months to see an improvement. Liverworts thrive in wet soil that has lots of nutrients so changing those conditions would help with control. They also like shade, high humidity and compacted soil. Breaking up the compacted soil and using coarse mulch would also help. For a positive identification of the plant, place a couple of sample in a sealed plastic bag and take it to your local Cooperative Extension Center.
The first resource below gives good information on cultural and physical control. The second resource gives information on chemical control.

https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2022/03/23/controlling-liverwort-organically/
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP542
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 30, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT

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