Eugene van der Pijll, no rights reserved (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Mollugo is a genus of roughly 15 small annual and short-lived perennial herbs in the family Molluginaceae, widespread across warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions. The most familiar species, Mollugo verticillata, is a flat, prostrate warm-season annual that branches repeatedly from a central point to form a circular mat 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) across and under 2 inches (5 cm) tall. Narrow, spoon-shaped leaves are arranged in whorls of three to eight at each node, giving the genus a tiered, spoke-like look. Tiny flowers about 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) wide lack true petals and instead show five white to greenish sepals, opening in small clusters from the leaf joints through the warm months. The fruit is a small capsule splitting into three to release numerous seeds. Adapted to disturbed, sandy, and seasonally dry ground, several species behave as fast weeds of gardens, fields, and paths, completing a generation in a single season.
Native Range
Mollugo occurs through warm temperate to tropical regions on several continents. Mollugo verticillata is widely treated as native to the warmer Americas and has naturalized far beyond, becoming a common warm-season weed of cultivated and disturbed soils worldwide.Suggested Uses
Rarely planted by design; the genus is encountered mainly as a volunteer ground-covering weed on bare, warm-season soil. Mats can hold loose surface soil temporarily on disturbed sites. The genus is seldom offered in cultivation.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 2"
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering runs through the warm season, roughly June to October in temperate areas, with bloom continuing as long as conditions stay warm and moist. Individual flowers are minute and open in small clusters at the leaf joints. Seed set is heavy and rapid, allowing several overlapping generations in long summers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to greenishFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established