Mollugo verticillata L., Molluginaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: carpetweed, green carpetweed, Indian chickweed, mollugine

Spanish: alfombra, cabello de gia, mofungo, tomillo

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Annual herb.  The root is a taproot which is only slightly branched.  The stem is glabrous, prostrate and highly branched and forms dense mats.  The leaves are simple, arranged in whorls of 5 to 6 leaves at each stem joint or node, they are spatulate, 1 to 2.5 centimeters long and entire.  The inflorescence is a simple umbel of white flowers which are small and radially symmetrical.  The fruit is a 3-valed capsule and the seeds are small, orange-red and kidney shaped"  (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 93).

Habitat/ecology:  "Annual herb commonly found in cultivated fields"  (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 93).

Propagation:  Seed (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 93).

Native range:  "Pantropic, naturalized in temperate regions" (GRIN).

Additional information:  Additional online information about Mollugo verticillata is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Mollugo verticillata may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Cardenas, Juan/Reys, Carlos E./Doll, Jerry D./Pardo, Fernando. 1972. Tropical weeds; malezas tropicales, vol. 1. International Plant Protection Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 341 pp.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.