Florida-Pusley

Richardia scabra

reh-CHARD-ee-a SCAY-brah

Rubiaceae

Native to: Tropical America, presumably not Florida

Florida abundance and distribution: Throughout

Recognition: Sprawling weed with opposite leaves having a fringed stipule between the bases.   Flowers white and star-shaped.  Resembles confusingly the other Richardia species in Florida.  See Mexican-Clover (Richardia grandiflora) for comparison.  Richardia scabra has white star-shaped flowers between the other two Richardia species in size but with overlapping dimensions, leaf surfaces with the hairiness diminished toward the center, and fruit segments warty and with a narrow inner face.  Very similar to Richardia brasiliensis, with the flat (vs. narrow) inner face of the fruit segment the best distinguishing character.

Other:  Regarded as an indicator for nematodes in turf.

Contributed by: George Rogers