Dichondra carolinensis

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Dichondra carolinensis
Dichondra carolinensis Gil.jpg
Photo taken by Gil Nelson
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Dichondra
Species: D. carolinensis
Binomial name
Dichondra carolinensis
Michx.
DICH CARO dist.jpg
Natural range of Dichondra carolinensis from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Carolina ponysfoot

Taxonomic notes

Synonym: Dichondra repens J.R. Forster var. carolinensis (Michaux) Choisy;

Description

Dichondra carolinensis is a perennial herbaceous species with a ruderal growing habit.[1]

For D. carolinensis, they are a "prostrate, spreading or matted, pubescent perennial, rooting at the nodes. Leaves suborbicular to reniform, mostly 1-3 cm wide, sparsely pubescent beneath; petioles 1-4 cm long. Flowers small, axillary, solitary; sepals 2-3 mm long at anthesis, the outer surface pilose; corolla white, rotate-campanulate exceeded by the calyx; pistil of 2 nearly separate carpels, stigmas capitate, styles separate. Capsule 2-lobed, each lobe usually 1-seeded." [2]

Distribution

Ecology

Habitat

This species prefers dry loamy sand and high light levels. It occurs in several natural communities, including pine-oak woods and savanna. However, it also tends to be a ruderal species, appearing in disturbed habitat like mowed lawns and roadsides.[1]

Associated species include Viola primulifolia, Cerastium Linaria, Oxalis.[1]

Phenology

This species has been observed flowering and fruiting in March.[1]

Fire ecology

D. carolinensis has been found in annually burned savanna, so it has some fire tolerance.[1]

Conservation and management

Cultivation and restoration

Photo Gallery

References and notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, R. K. Godfrey, Lisa Keppner, Walter Kittredge, and R. Komarek. States and Counties: Florida: Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, and Washington. Georgia: Grady.
  2. Radford, Albert E., Harry E. Ahles, and C. Ritchie Bell. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. 1964, 1968. The University of North Carolina Press. 861. Print.