Overview
Diodia virginiana is a low, sprawling herbaceous perennial in the coffee family, forming mats 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) across with trailing stems that root at the nodes. The stems are square to ridged and often hairy, rising only 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) before bending over. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long are paired along the stems and joined by a fringed sheath. Small white, star-shaped flowers about 0.4 inch (10 mm) wide with four to five petals open singly at the leaf bases through summer. Each flower forms a ribbed, oval seed capsule. The plant grows in wet ditches, pond and stream margins, low meadows, and damp lawns across the southeastern United States, where it spreads by rooting stems and by seed. In turf it forms persistent low patches that survive close mowing, which makes it a common lawn weed. It tolerates standing water and seasonal flooding but is checked by drought and deep shade.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern and south-central United States, from New Jersey and Missouri south to Florida and Texas. It grows in wet ditches, low meadows, pond margins, and damp lawns.Suggested Uses
Used in wetland and pond-edge plantings and in rain gardens where a low, spreading ground cover is wanted for moist soil. It stabilizes bare wet ground but spreads aggressively in turf and beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Small white star-shaped flowers open from June to September, scattered singly where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower is about 0.4 inch (10 mm) across. Ribbed seed capsules follow and split into two seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight