Drymary

Drymaria cordata

dry-mar-EE-ah cord-AY-tah

Caryophyllaceae

Native to: Tropical America, now around the globe

Florida abundance and distribution: Common turf weed throughout the state.  Prominent in the winter,  shade-tolerant, and fond of moisture

Recognition:   Creeping turf weed with opposite more or less orbicular sessile  or nearly sessile leaves; flowers small, white,  with 5 petals, each of these split to give the impression of 10 petals, on stalks rising to about a foot tall.  Fruits burr-like due to persistent “Velcro” calyx, sticking to fabric.

Potentially confused species:  Chickweed (Stellaria media) is related and similar but has fuzzy leaves on well developed petioles.  Pony’s foot (Dichondra caroliniana) has alternate (vs. opposite) more-cordate leaves with deep basal notches on well developed petioles.

Internet reference:

http://www.globinmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79176:drymaria-cordata-l-willd-ex-schultes&catid=368:d

Contributed by: George Rogers