Dichondra repens J.R. Forster & G. Forster

Code

DIORE

Growth form

Creeper

Biological cycle

Vivacious

Habitat

Terrestrial

Global description

Dichondra repens is a small vivacious creeping plant. Fasciculate roots at the nodes of the stems. The stem is applied to the ground, is rooted at the nodes and has a whitish to reddish hair more or less dense. Leaves simple, alternate, kidney-shaped. Petiole thin and pubescent 1 to 5 cm long. The limb is more or less densely hairy on both sides, the vertex emarginated and the base deeply corded, the margin is whole to sinuous. Flowers solitary, axillary, small (5 mm) greenish-white, borne by a small pedicel 2 to 10 mm. The corolla is tubular at the base ending in 5 narrow star lobes. Fruits are hairy capsules that divide into two compartments each containing two seeds.

Dichondra repens is a stolonniferous vivacious species that is easily propagated vegetatively by cuttings and also by seeds.

New Caledonia: Dichondra repens grows on clay to liomono-clay soils. It is found in pastures as well as in some dry forests.

 

Origin

Dichondra repens is native to New Zealand and Australia.

Worldwide distribution

This species is widespread in North and South America, Africa, Indian Ocean, Asia and Oceania.

Local harmfulness

Comoros: Dichondra repens is presents on the edge of banana plots in agroforestry, along the paths.
Mauritius: Presents in the lawns by the sea.
New Caledonia: It is relatively vulnerable during its growth phase and can be quickly smothered by other weeds. However, if conditions have been favorable, it can form real carpets which has earned it marketing as an ornamental plant for gardens, for this it must however get a regular moisture which is not necessarily the case in New Caledonia subject to annual drought periods.

Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Dichondra%2520repens