Ontario Weeds: Carpetweed

Table of Contents

1. Name
2. Other Names
3. Family
4. General Description
   • Photos and Pictures
5. Stems and Roots
6. Leaves
7. Flowers and Fruit
8. Habitat
9. Similar Species
10. Related Links

Name: Carpetweed, Mollugo verticillata L.,

Other Names: mollugine verticillée, Mollugo, mollugo verticillé

Family: Carpetweed Family (Aizoaceae)

General Description: Annual, reproducing only by seed.

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Photos and Pictures

Carpetweed.

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Stems & Roots: This prostrate plant is occasionally confused with Purslane but is distinguished by its thinner, yellowish-green stems.

Leaves: It has thin, flat leaves produced in whorls of 3 to 8 leaves at each node, and its clusters of usually 2 to 5 small, pale green to whitish flowers on short stalks (5-15mm, 1/5-3/5in.) from axils of those whorled leaves.

Flowers & Fruit: The flowers usually have 3 stamens and are followed by small, ovoid seedpods (3mm, 1/8in. long) which split lengthwise and have very tiny seeds. Flowers from June to August.

Habitat: Carpetweed occurs in moist sandy or coarse soils in gardens, row crops, waste places and along railways and roadsides throughout Ontario, chiefly in the southern part.

Similar Species: It is distinguished from the prostrate spurges, such as Hairy-fruited spurge, by its whorls of leaves and the complete absence of white, milky juice.

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Related Links

... on general Weed topics
... on weed identification, order OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
... on weed control, order OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control

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