Dichondra is a small genus of flowering plants in the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae. They are prostrate, perennial, herbaceous plants, with creeping stems which take root readily at the leaf nodes. The flowers are white, greenish or yellowish, 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) diameter. Members of the genus are commonly known as ponysfoots[2] and are native to tropical and cool temperate regions around the world.
Taxonomy
Etymology
The genus name is derived from the Greek words δίς (dis), meaning "two", and χόνδρος (chondros), meaning "grain". It refers to the fruits.[3]
Species
The number of species is disputed, with some authorities accepting only two species. The following species are recognised in the genus Dichondra by the International Plant Names Index (IPNI):[4]
Some Dichondra species are cultivated as ornamental plants, with cultivar selections also available. Dichondra micrantha is used as a groundcover. Dichondra argentea is a light silver leaved accent plant. The Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls' cultivar is often used for trailing over the rims of potted plants, and has lower water needs.[11]
Dichondra micrantha was very popular in Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s as a grass substitute for lawns. Each leaf consists of a stem with a nearly circular or kidney-shaped horizontal leaf top, between 8–25 mm (0.31–0.98 in) in diameter with a 20–35 mm (0.79–1.38 in) petiole.
In some habitats and landscapes of the United States, some of the non-native Dichondra species are treated as weeds.
^Everett, Thomas H. (1981). The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture. Vol. 4. Courier Corporation. p. 1059. ISBN978-0-8240-7234-6.
^"GRIN Species Records of Dichondra". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
