Florida Pusley (Identification Note: This is an herbaceous broadleaf weed, not a true grass species)
Richardia scabra · Warm-season, Summer Annual or Short-lived Perennial, C3 dicot
Grass Family
Rubiaceae (Madder family), not a member of Poaceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed (Commonly found invading Turf and Lawn environments)
Variety / Cultivar
None (Wild type species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 8-11; very heat tolerant; sensitive to frost and will die back or go dormant in freezing temperatures.
About This Grass
A low-growing, sprawling broadleaf plant that forms dense, thick mats. It features hairy stems and small, white, star-shaped flowers that appear in clusters at the ends of branches. It remains green in warm weather and can quickly overtake thinning turf.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves (not blades) are opposite, oval to elliptic, 1-3 inches long, with visible veins and a rough, hairy texture. They lack the parallel venation, ligules, and auricles of true grasses.
Root System
Strong, somewhat woody taproot with hairy lateral roots; does not produce true turf-type rhizomes but the mat-like density creates a thick ground cover that competes with grass roots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South America; naturalized throughout the Southeastern United States and tropical regions worldwide
Growth Habit
Prostrate, mat-forming; spreads via creeping stems that can root at the nodes (stoloniferous-like growth)
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; highly drought-tolerant; thrives in sandy, well-drained, acidic soils and disturbed areas.
Mowing & Maintenance
Extremely low-growing (2-4 inches); its prostrate habit allows it to survive very low mowing heights of 1 inch or less. Maintenance typically involves herbicide control rather than cultivation.
Special Characteristics
Extremely high traffic tolerance; resistant to most common lawn diseases; highly efficient at crowding out desirable turf grasses in poor soils; prolific seed producer.
Ecological Information
Invasive weed in managed turf; flowers provide a nectar source for pollinators (bees and butterflies); stabilizes sandy soils but reduces biodiversity in native grass ecosystems.