Dichondra facts for kids
Dichondra (say "dye-KON-druh") is a group of small flowering plants. They belong to the morning glory family, called Convolvulaceae. These plants grow low to the ground and spread out. They are perennial, meaning they live for more than two years. Their stems creep along the ground and can easily grow roots where the leaves join the stem. The flowers are tiny, usually white, green, or yellow, and only about 2–3 millimeters wide. People often call these plants ponysfoots. You can find them in warm and cool parts of the world.
Quick facts for kids Dichondra |
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| Dichondra micrantha | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Convolvulaceae |
| Tribe: | Dichondreae |
| Genus: | Dichondra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. |
| Species | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Contents
About Dichondra Plants
What's in a Name?
The name Dichondra comes from two Greek words. The first word is dis, which means "two". The second word is chondros, meaning "grain". This name refers to the plant's fruits, which look like two small grains.
Different Kinds of Dichondra
Scientists don't always agree on how many different types, or species, of Dichondra there are. Some think there are only two main species. However, the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) lists many more.
Here are some of the recognized species:
- Dichondra argentea – This is also known as silver dichondra. You can find it in Mexico and Texas.
- Dichondra carolinensis – This one is called Carolina ponysfoot.
- Dichondra micrantha – Known as Asian ponysfoot.
- Dichondra occidentalis – This is western dichondra, found along the coast of Southern California.
- Dichondra repens – Often called kidney weed.
- Dichondra sericea – This is the silverleaf ponysfoot.
Growing Dichondra
Popular Uses for Dichondra
Some types of Dichondra are grown as ornamental plants. This means people grow them because they look nice. There are even special versions, called cultivars, that people have developed.
- Dichondra micrantha is often used as a groundcover. This means it grows low and spreads out, covering the ground like a carpet.
- Dichondra argentea has pretty silver-colored leaves. It's often used to add a nice touch to gardens.
- A popular type called Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' is great for hanging baskets. Its stems trail over the edges of pots. It also doesn't need a lot of water.
Dichondra as a Lawn
In the 1950s and 1960s, Dichondra micrantha was very popular in Southern California. People used it instead of grass for their lawns. Each leaf has a stem with a round or kidney-shaped top. The leaf top is about 8–25 millimeters wide, and the stem is about 20–35 millimeters long.
It can be a bit tricky to start and keep a healthy lawn made only of Dichondra. Other plants, like Bermuda grass and Oxalis (a type of clover), often grow into a Dichondra lawn.
Dichondra as a Weed
In some places, certain Dichondra species that are not native to the area can be seen as weeds. This means they grow where people don't want them to.
See also
In Spanish: Dichondra para niños
