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Carpetweed Mollugo verticillata

Other plants called Carpetweed:

Previously known as:

  • Glinus oppositifolius var. oppositifolius
Phonetic Spelling
mol-LOO-go ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh
Description

Carpetweed is a prostrate, flowering, summer annual weed that spreads rapidly to create a dense mat of foliage resembling a carpet.  It can be found growing in sunny disturbed areas including tilled gardens, newly planted lawns, and along roadsides.  It is typically found in dry and sandy soils, but can also be found in moist soil. It will germinate in late spring in warm soil, spreading rapidly. Small, 1/4 inch flowers appear in mid-summer and continue through the early fall.  

Carpetweed needs full sun, moist to dry conditions, and sandy soil. It does tolerate partial shade and other soil types. Open disturbed sites are preferred because it is not competitive with other vegetation and does not do well when shaded by taller plants.

It spreads from a sparsely branched central taproot, creating a 5 inch high, often circular, mat. This plant spreads by reseeding itself, and often forms colonies. As it spreads, it can quickly climb over nearby plants and obstacles.

It is easy to remove this weed by either pulling or hoeing.  It is important to remove it before it blooms in order to prevent the spread of unwanted seed.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. This weed spreads quickly.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fleshy leaves#summer annual weed#fast growing#herbaceous#annual weed#herbaceous annual#warm season weed#native weed#mat forming#weed#prostrate
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fleshy leaves#summer annual weed#fast growing#herbaceous#annual weed#herbaceous annual#warm season weed#native weed#mat forming#weed#prostrate
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Mollugo
    Species:
    verticillata
    Family:
    Molluginaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Mollugo verticillate can be used as a poultice.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa, Australia, India, Southeast Asia.
    Distribution:
    Eastern and western North America - south from Quebec and British Columbia.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees are attracted to the blooms. Nectar and pollen of the flowers attract Halictid bees and various flies. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Leaves have low edibility.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Egg-shaped three-valved capsules containing up to 35 tiny seeds. Small seeds are reddish brown, shiny, and reniform. There are small ridges along the sides of the seeds, but they are hard to see without a magnifying glass.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Sepals are green on the bottom and white to greenish-white on the upper surface. They may have pale vertical green lines. From the axils of the leaves, there are small whorls or clusters of 2 to 5 flowers. Each flower is about ΒΌ inch across, consisting of 5 petal-like sepals, no petals. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer through the fall, and lasts about 2 months. There is no noticeable floral scent.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Oblanceolate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Three to eight long narrow leaves form at each node. The dull green leaves are 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide. There are whorls of 3-8 leaves at intervals along the stems. They are linear or linear-oblanceolate, smooth along their margins, and hairless.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth stems branch form at nodes. The stems are either round or angular, occasionally forming side stems.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Small Mammals
    Problems:
    Weedy