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Devil's Grip Mollugo verticillata

Phonetic Spelling
mol-LOO-go ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh
Description

Carpetweed is a 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 needs full sun, so it does not do well when shaded by taller plants. 

it will germinate in late spring in warm soil, spreading rapidly.  They will flower in mid-summer and continue through the early fall.  

It spreads from a sparsely branched central taproot, creating a low mat.  

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

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  This weed spreads quickly.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fleshy leaves#summer annual weed#fast growing#herbaceous#herbaceous annual#warm season weed#native weed#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fleshy leaves#summer annual weed#fast growing#herbaceous#herbaceous annual#warm season weed#native weed#weed
  • 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:
    North and South America, Angola
    Distribution:
    Eastern and western N. America - southwards from Quebec and British Columbia
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees are attracted to the blooms. 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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    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.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Obovate
    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" long and .5" wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Description:
    Smooth stems branch form at nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Small Mammals