Dichondra

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Dichondra
Dichondra micratha.jpg
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Convolvulaceae
Tribe:
Genus: Dichondra
J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.[1]
Species

See text

Synonyms
  • Dichondropsis Brandegee[1]

Dichondra is a small genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. They are prostrate, perennial, herbaceous plants, with creeping stems which take root readily at the leaf nodes. The flowers are white, greenish or yellowish, 2–3 mm diameter. Members of the genus are commonly known as ponysfoots[2] and are native to tropical and cool temperate regions around the world.

Taxonomy[]

Etymology[]

The genus name is derived from the Greek words δίς (dis), meaning "two", and χόνδρος (chondros), meaning "grain". It refers to the fruits.[3]

Species[]

The number of species is disputed, with some authorities accepting only two species. The following species are recognised in the genus Dichondra by the International Plant Names Index (IPNI):[4]

  • Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd. – silver dichondra — Mexico, Texas.[5]
  • Wooton & Standl. – New Mexico ponysfoot
  • Buchanan
  • Dichondra carolinensis Michx. – Carolina ponysfoot [6]
  • Tharp & M.C.Johnst. – California ponysfoot [7]
  • (L.f.) Britton
  • Meisn.
  • Urb. – Asian ponysfoot
  • Meisn. – "Oreja de ratón — South America[8]
  • (Brandegee) Tharp & M.C.Johnst.
  • House – western dichondra — Southern California coast.[9]
  • Meisn.
  • Tharp & M.C.Johnst. – oakwoods ponysfoot
  • Dichondra repens J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. — kidney weed
  • Sw. – silverleaf ponysfoot[2][10]

Cultivation and uses[]

Some Dichondra species are cultivated as ornamental plants, with cultivar selections also available. Dichondra micrantha is used as a groundcover. Dichondra argentea is a light silver leaved accent plant. The Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' cultivar is often used for trailing over the rims of potted plants, and has lower water needs.[11]

Dichondra micrantha was very popular in Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s as a grass substitute for lawns. Each leaf consists of a stem with a nearly circular or kidney-shaped horizontal leaf top, between 8–25 mm in diameter with a 20–35 mm petiole. A healthy lawn consisting entirely of Dichondra is fairly difficult to start, grow, and maintain. Neighbors' Bermuda grass often seeded in, with Oxalis sp. and other weeds.

In some habitats and landscapes of the United States, some of the non-native Dichondra species are treated as weeds.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Genus: Dichondra J. R. Forst. & G. Forst". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2003-12-11. Archived from the original on 2000-12-07. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Dichondra". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  3. ^ Everett, Thomas H. (1981). The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture. 4. Courier Corporation. p. 1059. ISBN 978-0-8240-7234-6.
  4. ^ "Dichondra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  5. ^ San Marcos Growers treatment: Dichondra argentea (silver dichondra)
  6. ^ Encyclopedia of Life: Information on Dichondra carolinensis (Carolina Ponysfoot, Grass Ponysfoot)
  7. ^ Jepson: Dichondra donelliana
  8. ^ Dichondra microcalyx Archived 2015-06-10 at the Wayback Machine (in Spanish)
  9. ^ Jepson: Dichondra occidentalis
  10. ^ "GRIN Species Records of Dichondra". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  11. ^ Missouri Botanical Garden horticultural treatment: Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls'

External links[]

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