Dichondra carolinensis Michaux. Common name: Carolina Ponyfoot. Phenology: Mar- Jun (-Feb). Habitat: Lawns, roadsides, moist pinelands, mesic hammocks, floodplain forests. Distribution: Se. VA south to s. FL, west to AR and TX; also in Bermuda and reported for the Bahamas; sometimes adventive beyond that range.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: This plant is rarely seen in a "natural" habitat, but is very common and weedy in lawns and other mowed grassy areas in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Bah, C, Fl6, FNA14, GW2, Il, K4, NcTx, RAB, S, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3, Austin, Demissew, & Young (1998), Tharp & Johnston (1961); = Dichondra repens J.R.Forst. var. carolinensis (Michx.) Choisy — F, G, Wilson (1960b). Basionym: Dichondra carolinensis Michx. 1803 "Urbasionym:" Demidofia repens J.F.Gmel. 1791
Links to other floras: = Dichondra carolinensis - FNA14
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
- Great Plains: FAC
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACW
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Creeping, mat-forming perennial of lawns, roadsides and moist pinelands; rarely seen in natural habitats.
Stems: Stems horizontal below and above the soil surface, rooting at the nodes, green or purplish-red, soft-hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, rounded or kidney-shaped, 3/8-1 1/4 in. wide, palmately veined, principle veins raised on the lower surface, commonly hairy.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers solitary in leaf axils, greenish-white, less than 1/8 in. wide, the corolla bell-shaped with 5 rounded lobes, the calyx with 5 longer sepals bearing long hairs on the outer surface.
Fruits: Fruit a tiny, 2-lobed capsule.
Comments:
Height: 1-2 in.
plant sale text: Carolina ponyfoot is a creeping, mat-forming perennial rarely seen in its native moist pineland habitat. However, it is often found along roadsides or used in lawns as a groundcover. Its kidney-shaped leaves overlap to form dense cover, and small, white flowers bloom from spring through the summer. It grows best in loose, well-drained soil that is receives regular, thorough watering.
bloom table text:
description: Creeping, mat-forming perennial of lawns, roadsides and moist pinelands; rarely seen in natural habitats.
stems: Stems horizontal below and above the soil surface, rooting at the nodes, green or purplish-red, soft-hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate, rounded or kidney-shaped, 3/8-1 1/4 in. wide, palmately veined, principle veins raised on the lower surface, commonly hairy.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers solitary in leaf axils, greenish-white, less than 1/8 in. wide, the corolla bell-shaped with 5 rounded lobes, the calyx with 5 longer sepals bearing long hairs on the outer surface.
fruits: Fruit a tiny, 2-lobed capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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