CARPETWEED
Mollugo verticillata
CARPETWEED FAMILY (Molluginaceae)
Identification
- Flowering time - June, July, August, September
- Uncommon in disturbed soil at FF and NW
- Sprawling plant often forming large mats
- Small flowers with 5 white petals
- Leaves in whorls of 3-8
This weedy annual has prostrate, many branched, radiating stems forming rounded mats up to 1 foot in diameter (C). Individual plants often combine to form larger masses (D). Variable spoon-shaped to linear leaves up to 1 inch long occur in whorls of 3-8 (A). Groups of 1/4 inch wide, white to greenish-white flowers with 5 petal-like sepals arise from the leaf whorls (B).
Carpetweed, an uncommon plant at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods, thrives in sunny disturbed areas often growing rapidly into large, confluent mats. It blooms from June through September.
There is debate about the origin of this plant. Some believe it is native to tropical America. Others, citing very early collection in North America are not so sure.
The whorled leaves and sprawling nature of Carpetweed sometimes causes confusion with the bedstraws which have only 4 petals rather than 5
Other common names include Devil’s Grip, Indian Chickweed and Whorled Chickweed.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff.