Modiola caroliniana
bristly mallow
Southeastern United States and the Americas
Attracts Pollinators
Native to North America
Overview
Modiola caroliniana is a low, mat-forming herb in the mallow family, with prostrate stems that root at the nodes and spread 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) while rising only 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) tall. The rounded leaves are 0.8-2 inches (2-5 cm) wide, palmately three- to five-lobed with toothed margins, and borne on long stalks along bristly-haired stems. Solitary flowers open in the leaf axils from spring through summer, each 0.3-0.5 inch (8-13 mm) across with five salmon-orange to brick-red petals and a darker base. The flowers are followed by flat, disc-shaped fruits that break into 14-25 segments, each tipped with two stiff spines that catch on fur and clothing. This bristly fruit gives the plant its common name and aids seed dispersal. It grows quickly in moist, disturbed ground and is widely treated as a weed of lawns, gardens, and pastures across the warmer parts of its range. The species tolerates mowing and light foot traffic because its growing points sit at the soil surface, but it dies back where winters are cold. Its rooting stems can form broad patches within a single season, which limits its use as an intentional planting and can crowd low turf.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern United States and warmer parts of the Americas, ranging from the Carolinas and Gulf states south through Mexico to South America.Suggested Uses
Sometimes used as a quick groundcover for moist, disturbed sites and erosion control on warm-climate slopes, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. More often it appears as a volunteer weed in lawns and beds rather than as a chosen planting.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
salmon-orange to brick-redFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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