Sphagneticola spp.
creeping oxeye
Overview
Sphagneticola spp. is a small genus of about four species of low, creeping perennials in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the tropical Americas. The species S. trilobata is a fast-spreading groundcover that forms dense mats of trailing stems which root at the nodes wherever they touch moist soil. The glossy, dark green leaves are fleshy, 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) long, and usually shallowly three-lobed with toothed edges. Bright yellow to orange-yellow daisy flowers, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, are held just above the foliage and appear almost year-round in frost-free climates. Plants grow in full sun to part shade and tolerate heat, humidity, salt, and a range of soils, spreading quickly to cover bare ground. This vigor has made S. trilobata a serious invasive weed across many tropical regions, where it smothers native vegetation, and it is restricted or discouraged in places such as Hawaii, Australia, and parts of Asia and Africa. The genus dies back or is killed by frost, which limits perennial growth to zones 9 and warmer. Stems fragment and re-root readily, so cut pieces can start new colonies.
Native Range
Sphagneticola spp. is native to the tropical Americas, from Mexico and the Caribbean through Central America to tropical South America. S. trilobata grows naturally in coastal and lowland habitats, on sandy soils, stream banks, and disturbed open ground.Suggested Uses
Sphagneticola spp. is used as a fast groundcover, bank and erosion cover, and spillover plant for containers and walls in tropical and subtropical gardens. Where S. trilobata is invasive, it is confined to pots or replaced with non-invasive alternatives.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
In frost-free climates Sphagneticola spp. flowers almost continuously through the year, peaking in the warm, wet season. In cooler subtropical areas bloom is concentrated in spring and summer. Individual heads are short-lived but replaced steadily across the mat.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellow to orange-yellowFoliage Description
Glossy dark 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Sphagneticola spp. grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates heat, humidity, coastal salt, and most soils, including poor and sandy ground. It spreads fast by rooting runners and needs regular moisture for dense cover, though established plants withstand short dry spells. Frost kills the top growth and hard freezes kill the plant, restricting it to zones 9 and warmer. Because it spreads aggressively and re-roots from fragments, it can overrun beds and escape into surrounding land. Containment by edging, containers, or regular cutting back keeps it in bounds. Little feeding is needed, as rich conditions only speed its spread.Pruning
Sphagneticola spp. is cut or mown back regularly to control its spread and keep the mat dense. Trimming runners at bed edges stops it rooting into new ground. Cut material is gathered rather than left, since stem fragments re-root easily.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons