© Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · iNaturalist
Overview
Sherardia is a small genus in the madder family, containing one to a few species of low annual herbs native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The widespread Sherardia arvensis forms prostrate to ascending, four-angled stems 2-16 inches (5-40 cm) long that spread along the ground. Leaves are lance-shaped, 0.2-0.7 inch (5-18 mm) long, arranged in whorls of four to six around the stem, with rough, bristle-tipped margins. Tiny funnel-shaped flowers, 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) across, are clustered in heads of four to ten at the stem tips and ringed by leaf-like bracts; they open pale lilac to pink. Flowering runs from spring through summer. The fruit is a small dry two-parted structure crowned by persistent teeth. Roots contain pigments once used for dye. As an annual, the plant completes its life cycle in a single season and dies after setting seed. It self-sows readily and can persist as a weed of lawns, gardens, and cultivated ground.
Native Range
Sherardia is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, growing in grassland, arable fields, roadsides, and other open, disturbed ground on well-drained soils. It has naturalized widely across temperate regions of North America, Australia, and elsewhere.Suggested Uses
Rarely planted deliberately, Sherardia appears in wildflower seed mixes and naturalistic plantings on poor soils. The low, spreading habit covers bare ground quickly but competes with sown plants. It is more often managed as a weed of lawns and cultivated beds than grown by choice.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'4"
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from spring into summer, typically May through August in temperate regions, and earlier in Mediterranean climates. Each flower cluster blooms over two to three weeks, and a plant flowers over an extended period as new shoots develop. In mild areas, autumn-germinated plants may flower in early spring.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale lilac to pinkFoliage 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
As a weedy annual, Sherardia grows in full sun to part shade on most well-drained soils and needs no cultivation. It germinates in cool, moist conditions and tolerates low fertility. Drought late in the season hastens decline once seed has set. The plant self-sows freely and can spread through lawns and beds. It has no significant pests or diseases. In gardens, seedlings are removed before they set seed to limit spread.Pruning
No pruning is practiced. Mowing or removing plants before seed set reduces self-sowing in the following season. Spent plants die back completely after fruiting and can be cleared.Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Plant Spacing
6 inches