Devil's Grip Mollugo verticillata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mol-LOO-go ver-ti-si-LAH-tuh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Smooth/Hairless
- Stem Description:
- Smooth stems branch form at nodes.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Small Mammals
