Lawnflower Calyptocarpus vialis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Synedrella vialis
- Synedrellopsis grisebachii
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-ip-toe-KAR-pus VEE-uh-lis
- Description
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Horseherb is a shade-tolerant ground cover in the daisy (Asteraceae) family that is typically found in woodlands, roadsides, meadows, and disturbed sites. In the US, it is native to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and has been introduced into many other states.
It grows 6 to 12 inches tall and will spread with underground stolons in ideal conditions. It prefers shade to dappled shade in well-drained sandy soils but will adapt to more sun. Propagation is typically done through root cutting or division. It can be grown from seed, however, seed is difficult to collect in large quantities.
Tiny yellow flowers dot the bright green plants from spring to summer with their nectar attracting small butterflies.
Use it as a replacement for grass in dry, shady locations where other grasses cannot grow. For others, it can be seen as a nuisance, competing with your manicured lawn and beds. It makes an excellent ground cover for sloped locations.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur from too wet soils. Plant struggle with heavy leaf litter from upper canopy plants. Can be weedy
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Calyptocarpus
- Species:
- vialis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Being researched for it medicinal properties.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern U.S.A., Caribbean, Venezuela
- Distribution:
- It can be found in the lower 48 states.
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from flowers attract sulfur and skipper butterflies. Safe for animal consumption.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The leaves can be eaten by both humans and animals.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Horizontal
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- After flowering, a dry, one-seeded fruit will expand, forming a crown of stiff bristles. These aid in the seed dispersal.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny yellow daisy-like flowers bloom from spring to fall or even year-round in frost-free areas. The 3 to 8 yellow ray petals surround 10 to 20 disc flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green leaves are 1/2 to 1 inch long with toothed margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Single stemmed. The green stems can have fine red stripes and stiff hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Foot Traffic
- Heat
- Heavy Shade
- Humidity
- Pollution
- Rabbits
- Salt
- Problems:
- Weedy
