Carpetweed (Note: This is a broadleaf weed, not a true grass)
Mollugo verticillata · Summer Annual, C3 Dicot (Not a true grass species)
Grass Family
Molluginaceae (Carpetweed family); formerly placed in Aizoaceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed (Commonly found in turfgrass and gardens)
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type; no specific commercial cultivars exist
Hardiness Zones
Successfully grows as an annual in USDA Zones 3-11; dies back completely after the first hard frost.
About This Grass
A low-growing, smooth, light-green weed that forms circular mats up to 2 feet in diameter. It possesses branched stems and distinctive whorled leaves at the nodes. Small, insignificant white flowers appear in clusters at the leaf axils.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves are not blades; they are spatulate to linear, 1-3 cm long, arranged in whorls of 3 to 8. They have smooth margins and a distinct mid-vein. There are no ligules or auricles as this is not a member of Poaceae.
Root System
Short, central taproot; shallow system that allows for easy hand-pulling but lacks drought resistance compared to deep-rooted grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Tropical America; naturalized throughout North America, Europe, and Asia
Growth Habit
Prostrate, mat-forming; stems radiate from a central taproot in a circular pattern
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, fertile, sandy or disturbed soils; low drought tolerance as it wilts quickly in dry heat.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not applicable as a desired crop; in lawns, it survives below standard mowing heights (1-3 inches) due to its prostrate habit. Controlled via herbicides or manual removal.
Special Characteristics
High seed production; seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years. It is highly opportunistic in bare spots of lawns or thin turf.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; limited wildlife value, though some small insects may visit flowers. Primarily acts as a pioneer species in disturbed soils and can be a nuisance in agricultural fields.