Family: Convolvulaceae
Author: Michx.
Bibliography: Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 136 (1803)
Year: 1803
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Dichondra
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Canada to Texas, Bermuda
Description
Carolina ponysfoot, known scientifically as Dichondra carolinensis, is a small, ground-covering plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. This versatile plant is native to regions extending from southeastern Canada through the eastern United States and reaching as far south as Texas and Bermuda. Its adaptability to various climates makes it a common sight across these areas.
Dichondra carolinensis was first described scientifically in the work “Flora Boreali-Americana,” published in 1803 by the botanist André Michaux. Its delicate, kidney-shaped leaves and creeping growth habit give it a distinctive appearance, making it easily recognizable.
This plant thrives in a range of environments, from moist woodlands and open fields to garden beds, where it is often utilized as a low-growing ground cover. Its resilience and ability to spread quickly allow it to outcompete many other ground-level plants, creating dense mats of greenery that can suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion.
Despite its understated appearance, the Carolina ponysfoot plays an important ecological role in its natural habitat. By providing a lush green carpet, it supports a variety of small organisms and contributes to the biodiversity of the areas where it grows.
For botanists and garden enthusiasts, Dichondra carolinensis offers an intriguing subject of study due to its unique characteristics and its historical documentation in early North American botanical literature.
Common Names
Eng: carolina ponysfoot, grass ponysfoot, carolina dichondra
En: Carolina ponysfoot, Carolina Pony’s-Foot, GRASS PONYFOOT, Grass ponysfoot, Carolina dichondra
Synonyms
- Dichondra caroliniana (Willd. ex DC.)
- Demidofia repens (J.F.Gmel.)
- Dichondra evolvulacea var. carolinensis ((Michx.) Kuntze)
- Dichondra repens var. carolinensis ((Michx.) Poir.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Bermuda (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Texas (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Tennessee (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken May 4, 2019 by Jenn Davis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2022 by E Shields (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2020 by Barrett Hamish (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2020 by Barrett Hamish (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2020 by Barrett Hamish (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Mar 21, 2016 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Mar 30, 2016 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 29, 2016 by EOL − andy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 14, 2016 by EOL − Clayton Bownds (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 14, 2015 by EOL − Jim Varnum (cc-by-nc)
Flower
Taken Feb 21, 2016 by EOL − kimberlietx (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 5, 2013 by EOL − Mary Keim (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Feb 23, 2016 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 23, 2016 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 15, 2016 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Mar 28, 2015 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Apr 12, 2016 by EOL − Jim Varnum (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2928664)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:79450-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dichondra carolinensis Michx.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb