Mollugo verticillata

Mollugo verticillata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Molluginaceae
Genus:	Mollugo
Species:	M. verticillata
Binomial name
Mollugo verticillata L.

Mollugo verticillata (carpetweed) is a rapidly spreading annual plant from tropical America. In eastern North America, it is a common weed growing in disturbed areas. It forms a prostrate circular mat that can quickly climb over nearby plants and obstacles.

Carpetweed has narrow, whorled leaves of 3-8 at each node. Leaves are about 1-3 cm in length. The flowers are usually in clusters of 2-5, blooming from July through September. They are white or greenish white with tiny 5-15 mm stalks. Flowers quickly turn into fruit that is egg shaped and 1.5-4 mm in length. The seeds are 0.5 mm long and are orange-red.

External links

• Mollugo verticillata in the Flora of North America
• Mollugo verticillata in the USDA database
• photographs

References

• P. D. Strausbaugh and Earl L. Core. Flora of West Virginia. 2nd ed. Seneca Books Inc., 1964. ISBN 0-89092-010-9

• Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, and Joseph M. Ditomaso. Weeds of the Northeast. Cornell University Press, 1997. ISBN 0-8014-8334-4