Carolina ponysfoot

Family

Convolvulacea

Scientific Name

Dichondra carolinensis

Other Common Names:

kidney weed

ponyfoot

dichondra

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Dichondra repens

Dichondra repens var. Carolinensis

Habit

A creeping perennial with circular leaves, primarily a weed of lawns.

Leaves

Alternate, circular to kidney- shaped, with continuous, untoothed margins and long petioles.

Identifying Characteristics

Prostrate or creeping growth habit with circular leaves and entire margins. Dichondra may be confused with Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea), however the square stems and toothed margins of ground ivy help to distinguish the two.

Flower Seed Head

Inconspicuous, in clusters in the leaf axils.

Where Found

Southern United States

Growth Habit

prostrate and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

Varies:

white,

green

Flower Symmetry

not symmetrical

Leaf Hairs

no hairs

Leaf Shape

heart

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

longer than leaf

Stem Hairs

no hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

Varies:

fibrous,

taproot

Life Cycle

perennial

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb