green carpetweed
ExplorePlants
green carpetweed
Mollugo verticillata
Green carpetweed is a small, low-growing plant that spreads out like a green carpet. It has tiny leaves and can often be found in warm places like gardens and fields.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The green carpetweed is a low-growing plant forming dense, flat mats on the ground. It has unique narrow, spoon-shaped leaves arranged in star-like whorls around its stems. Tiny, inconspicuous white to greenish flowers grow from the leaf bases.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyMolluginaceaeGenusMollugo
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even though it's tiny, its leaves were traditionally eaten like spinach in some cultures.
It can grow in places other plants can't, like cracks in sidewalks or bare, sandy patches.
Look closely! Its tiny flowers are so small they are barely bigger than a pinhead!
This plant is so good at spreading, it often forms a living 'green carpet' over open ground!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Survivor
Green carpetweed has strong roots and efficient water use, allowing it to thrive in dry, sandy soils where others struggle.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Green carpetweed produces many tiny seeds that are easily dispersed by wind and water, helping it colonize new areas rapidly.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-20 cm
- Spread
- 30-90 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
helps flowers create seeds
pollinates
Marmalade Hoverfly
Syrphus ribesii
visits flowers for nectar
eaten by
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
a snack for hungry rabbits
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
occasionally browsed by deer
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is green carpetweed?
5-20 cm
How wide does green carpetweed spread?
30-90 cm
How big are the flowers on green carpetweed?
0.2-0.3 cm
When does green carpetweed bloom?
Late spring to fall
Is green carpetweed edible?
Yes
Is green carpetweed toxic?
None
What is green carpetweed's lifecycle?
Annual
How is green carpetweed pollinated?
Insect
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