Pinks, Cactuses and Allies of Zihuatanejo

Mollugo verticillata, also known as green carpetweed, is a small annual plant native to the Americas. It is commonly found in open, sunny areas, particularly in grasslands, yards, and roadsides. Its range extends from the United States to southern South America. This plant has several traditional medicinal uses, including the treatment of stomachaches, fevers, and skin irritations. It is a low-growing plant with small, succulent-like leaves and white, star-like flowers.

Description

• Mollugo verticillata, commonly known as green carpetweed, is a low-growing annual herb in the family Molluginaceae. It has slender, branching stems that spread outward to form flat mats. Its smooth, narrow to spoon-shaped leaves are arranged in distinctive whorls around the stem joints. The tiny flowers are white to greenish-white, with five petal-like sepals and delicate stamens. They develop into small, rounded capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. Its prostrate growth habit allows it to cover bare ground quickly.

Range

• Mollugo verticillata is native to the Americas, occurring from Canada and the United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Green carpetweed grows in open, sunny habitats, including sandy or disturbed ground, roadsides, cultivated fields, gardens, and the edges of paths. It favours warm conditions and can grow in a range of soil types, including relatively dry, nutrient-poor soils. It often appears during the rainy season or wherever moisture allows its rapid growth and seed production.