Alabama OTPS Weed ID 2025/2026 (10 Qs) – Sedges, Broadleafs, Annuals, Perennials

This concise weed identification guide features 10 fully answered and up-to-date questions from the Alabama OTPS (Ornamental and Turf Pest Supervisor) certification exam for the 2025/2026 testing period. It is specifically designed to support professionals in recognizing and managing a wide range of common and invasive turf and ornamental weeds across Alabama’s landscapes. The guide highlights visual characteristics, life cycles, and reproduction methods of both annual and perennial weeds. Included species are Musk Thistle (biennial), Prostrate Spurge (summer annual), Annual Bluegrass (winter annual), Yellow Nutsedge (perennial sedge), Florida Betony (perennial broadleaf), Wild Garlic (perennial), and Virginia Buttonweed (perennial broadleaf). Each entry describes distinctive features such as leaf shapes, stem textures, flowering behavior, tuber presence, and unique reproduction strategies like aerial bulblets or self-pollinating underground flowers. This document is ideal for landscaping professionals, pesticide applicators, turfgrass managers, and agriculture or horticulture students preparing for OTPS certification or expanding their practical weed ID knowledge. Keywords: Alabama OTPS, weed identification, prostrate spurge, musk thistle, annual bluegrass, yellow nutsedge, Florida betony, Virginia buttonweed, wild garlic, perennial weeds, sedges, broadleaf weeds, turfgrass certification, invasive weeds