Small squareweed (Mitracarpus hirtus, Prodr. 4: 572 (1830))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: (L.) DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 4: 572 (1830)

Year: 1830

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mitracarpus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Small squareweed, scientifically known as Mitracarpus hirtus, is a widely recognized species within the Rubiaceae family. First described by the notable botanist (L.) DC., its formal description was documented in Prodr. 4: 572 in the year 1830.

This resilient plant is indigenous to a broad geographic range, spanning from Mexico through much of Tropical America. Its adaptability to various climates and soil types makes it a common sight in these regions. While small squareweed may often be encountered in the wild, it is also of interest to botanists and horticulturists due to its unique characteristics and potential uses in traditional medicine.

Mitracarpus hirtus typically exhibits a low, herbaceous growth habit, thriving in environments that offer ample sunlight. The plant’s common name, “small squareweed,” alludes to its diminutive stature and the somewhat squared appearance of its leaves and stems. The foliage is marked by a hirsute texture, an attribute that is reflective of its botanical name, “hirtus,” meaning “hairy” in Latin.

Ecologically, small squareweed contributes to the biodiversity of its native habitats, often playing a role in soil stabilization and as a pioneer species in disturbed soils, thereby facilitating the establishment of other vegetation. Its flowers, though small, are intricate and bear the hallmark structure typical of the Rubiaceae family, attracting various pollinators which aid in the plant’s reproductive cycle.

In summary, Mitracarpus hirtus, or small squareweed, is a significant member of the Rubiaceae family with a well-documented history and a wide distribution across Mexico and Tropical America. Its robust nature and ecological contributions underscore its importance in the habitats it occupies.

Common Names

Eng: tropical girdlepod, small squareweed
En: Small squareweed, Tropical girdlepod

Synonyms

• Mitracarpus senegalensis (DC.)
• Mitracarpus scaber (Zucc.)
• Spermacoce crassifolia (DC.)
• Spermacoce villosa (Sw.)
• Mitracarpus villosus ((Sw.) DC.)
• Borreria remotifolia (DC.)
• Mitracarpus stylosus ((Link) Cham. & Schltdl. ex DC.)
• Mitracarpus diffusus ((Willd.) Cham. & Schltdl. ex DC.)
• Mitracarpus bakeri (Urb.)
• Spermacoce stylosa (Link)
• Mitracarpus pallidus (Hook. & Arn.)
• Spermacoce cephalotes (Willd.)
• Mitracarpus torresianus (Cham. & Schltdl.)
• Mitracarpus hirtus var. sessilis (Tandyekk., Pandur. & N.Mohanan)
• Spermacoce declinata (Pav. ex DC.)
• Mitracarpus verticillatus ((Schumach. & Thonn.) Vatke)
• Diodia villosa (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.)
• Mitracarpus hirtus var. remotiflorus (K.Schum.)
• Mitracarpus pilosus (A.Rich.)
• Mitracarpus villosus var. glabrior (Oerst.)
• Mitracarpus simplex (Rusby)
• Staurospermum verticillatum (Schumach. & Thonn.)
• Mitracarpus schizangius var. angustifolius (Oerst.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Central African Repu (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Congo (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Liberia (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Malawi (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mauritania (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Patricia HINKAM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 17, 2019 by Santosh Santosh Kshetri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2022 by Narthanaa Narthanaa Senavarayan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by venkat raman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2019 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 22, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 22, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 17, 2021 by Doc Lingo (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 12, 2019 by s shaboddin s shaboddin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2019 by Perdina Hadyan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 17, 2021 by cruz juan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by jing G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 6, 2022 by Gianella Zapata Ramos (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 26, 2019 by Pl@ntNet (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 22, 2004 by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Anonymous (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 25, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2912993)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:756228-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth