Green carpetweed - Mollugo verticillata (Taxonomy, Characteristics, Distribution, Images, Control)

Green carpetweed

Also known as: Indian chickweed, Whorled chickweed

The green carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata) is a common annual weed often considered invasive. It likely originated in the American tropics but has propagated across much of the world. In summer, it spreads to create a “carpet” of ground-covering foliage and is thus often considered a weedy pest in gardens.

Scientific classification

Species

Green carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata)

Pinks, cacti, and allies

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Weeds

Weed or not

Annual, Biennial

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Spring, Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Harvest Time

2.5 cm to 15 cm

Plant Height

5 cm to 45 cm

Spread

Green

Leaf Color

2.5 cm

Flower Size

Brown, Red, Copper, Burgundy, Orange

Fruit Color

White

Flower Color

Summer

Growth Season

Rapid

Growth Rate

Images of Green carpetweed

Distribution of Green carpetweed

Distribution Map

Green carpetweed naturally occurs in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas, where it has established itself across the northern, central, and southern parts. Its range has further extended as an introduced species to sections of Asia, Europe, and Africa, where it thrives in a variety of environments.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Sandy river banks, roadsides, cultivated ground, fields, gardens, roadsides

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Weed Control

Green carpetweed is a tropical and subtropical native. It is now found throughout the United States and is an invasive species. It puts down a central taproot and grows in a circular pattern. Each circular plant produces a long thin stem that grows into another carpetweed. Within just a few weeks, the weed can become established in cultivated and abandoned areas. The wide clumps grow over native species, and the taproot removes necessary nutrients from the soil. It is not a problem in the upper northern region of the United States, but it is an invasive species in the south, east, and west.

How to Control It

The best time to remove 'green carpetweed' is in late spring or early summer, ideally before it begins to produce seeds. Here are some organic methods to control it:

Hand Pulling: Regularly check your garden for any signs of 'green carpetweed'. Pull it out from the ground making sure to remove all the roots. Dispose of them properly to prevent reinfestation.
Cultivation: Disrupt the growth of 'green carpetweed' by hoeing or raking the garden soil. This method can kill sprouting seedlings and prevent the plant from establishing.
Mulching: Mulch your garden with organic material like straw, leaf compost or wood chips. This suppresses 'green carpetweed' by blocking sunlight, making it difficult for it to grow.
Smothering: If 'green carpetweed' covers a large area, lay down a thick sheet of newspaper or cardboard on top of it then cover that with mulch. This stifles the weed and prevents it from receiving sunlight and air, eventually killing it.
Planting Cover Crops: Plant crops that can outcompete 'green carpetweed' for resources. These cover crops will not only enrich the soil but also prevent 'green carpetweed' from growing by dominating the space.

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Quickly Identify Green carpetweed

Mat-like growth habit

Whorled leaf arrangement

Small, inconspicuous white flowers

Smooth, slender light green stem

Capsule fruit with three valves

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Care Guide for Green carpetweed

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Green carpetweed thrives in well-drained soils and prefers consistent moisture. While resilient to dry spells, it flourishes with weekly watering. As an opportunistic groundcover, green carpetweed benefits from natural rainfall, reducing the need for supplemental watering during the growing season.

Propagation: Propagation of green carpetweed mainly takes place by sowing in Spring and is generally straightforward. Successful growth is marked by the emergence of seedlings, making attention to proper soil moisture essential for optimal sprouting.

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Images of Green carpetweed

Distribution of Green carpetweed

Weed Control

Quickly Identify Green carpetweed

Care Guide for Green carpetweed

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