# Carolina ponysfoot (*Dichondra carolinensis*) Carolina ponysfoot is a small, green plant that grows close to the ground. It has round leaves that look like little coins and can spread quickly, making it a fun plant to find in gardens and parks! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Carolina ponysfoot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dichondra_carolinensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: T. J. Butler, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dichondra_carolinensis.jpg) ## Appearance The Carolina ponysfoot is a low-growing perennial with distinctive kidney or hoof-shaped leaves. Its small, roundish leaves are bright green, often forming a dense mat. Tiny, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers bloom nestled among the foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Solanales - **Family:** Convolvulaceae - **Genus:** Dichondra ## Interesting facts - Carolina ponysfoot is sometimes used as a natural, low-maintenance lawn substitute. - Its common name comes from the shape of its leaves, which look like miniature pony hooves! - This resilient plant can form a living carpet, even growing through cracks in pavement. - You might need a magnifying glass to truly appreciate its tiny, star-shaped flowers! ## Special abilities - **Creeping Conqueror:** Carolina ponysfoot can spread rapidly using creeping stems that root as they grow, helping it colonize open ground quickly. - **Soil Specialist:** Carolina ponysfoot has strong roots that allow it to grow in various soil types, helping it thrive even in poor conditions. - **Hidden Blossoms:** Carolina ponysfoot has tiny flowers that are often overlooked, helping it conserve energy and avoid being eaten by large browsers. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2-10 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Viereck's Sweat Bee (*Lasioglossum vierecki*) — Visits its small flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — Rabbits may browse its tender leaves. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer occasionally graze on its foliage. - **Shelter:** Dusky Arion (*Arion subfuscus*) — Provides ground cover and moisture for slugs. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or picking plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Carolina ponysfoot? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Carolina ponysfoot? 2-10 cm ### How wide does Carolina ponysfoot spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on Carolina ponysfoot? 0.2-0.5 cm ### When does Carolina ponysfoot bloom? Spring to Summer ### Is Carolina ponysfoot edible? No ### Is Carolina ponysfoot toxic? None ### What is Carolina ponysfoot's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Charlotte Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlotte-street-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Inman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inman-park) — Georgia, US · Neighborhood - [Dead Lakes Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-lakes-park) — Florida, US · Park - [South Arkansas Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-arkansas-arboretum) — Arkansas, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Carolina ponysfoot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/carolina-ponysfoot) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Carolina ponysfoot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carolina-ponysfoot)