Can anyone identify these please?

Hi, this is my first proper post apart from the intro section!

These plants/weeds (please see pictures) have started to spread across my lawn at an incredible rate! There roots are a bit like a daisy chain and spread long distances just under the surface of the lawn and take root further out! They start green and then change colour to a deep purple. Can any identify these please and give me some advice on how to get rid of them?

Thanks in advance

Tony

 

They are ajuga reptans they are a great plant for ground cover.

All the runners they send out tend to pull up really easily and then dig out the main plant.

 

Thanks Dips, the trouble is finding the main plant! lol Is there any other way to kill it?

 

Im afraid i dont know as i dont use weed killers. I only used boiled water and that would kill the grass too so would be no good.

 

Thanks anyway and for your quick reply

 

Thanks John.