Scientific Family
Molluginaceae
Synonyms
Mollugo berteriana
Other common names
Indian chick weed
Indian chickweed
carpetweed
mollugine
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
Spreads to 20 inches
Riparian
Yes
Spreading, hairless annual forming dense patches of circular mats up to 20 inches across, can quickly climb over nearby plants and obstacles; whorled leaves; small, white flowers which are in groups of 2 to 6 at ends of leaf stems and in leaf axils.
Delicate, much branched annual; stems trailing to ascending, forms mats to 20 inches; whorls of 3 to 8 leaves, stalked basal leaf rosettes; flowers small, white, small clusters at stem ends and leaf axils; sepals green outer surface, white inner surface.
Habitat
Weedy in fields, disturbed areas, gardens, roadsides, moist to dry soils, sandy soils.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Small, white flowers in clusters of 2 to 5 at each node, on slender stalks; sepals oblong, 1/16 inch long, with green midrib and white margins; usually 3 stamens.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
August
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
5 to 6 narrow, bright green, unequal leaves in a whorl, with a prominent central vein, rounded or pointed tips, 1/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, 1/16 to 1/4 inch wide; basal leaves with stalks.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsule ovoid, 3-chambered, slightly longer than sepals.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds 15 to 35, dark or reddish brown, with blackish, parallel, curved ridges on sides, or smooth.