Virginia Buttonweed
| Diodia virginiana | ||
| Family: | Rubiaceae | |
| Type: | Broadleaf | |
| Lifecycle: | Perennial | |
| Habit: | This spreading perennial is often found growing in mats, flowers from June through November. | |
| Leaves: | The simple, opposite leaves are lance shaped, and grow from 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches long, and up to an inch wide. The leaves are joined across the stem by rough hairy stipules. By late summer, the leaves are often mottle yellow by virus. The stems are occasionally hairy, and take root at the nodes. | |
| Opposite | ||
| Characteristics: | This flower can be identified by its semi-erect growing habits, its narrow hairless leaves, and by the 4 petaled flowers. | |
| The solitary or paired flowers arise from the leaf axils. Each white flower has 4 petals that are arranged to form a star-like shape. | ||
| The seeds develop in a top-shaped, hairy nut, 5 to 9 mm long. Each nut will split open at maturity, releasing 2 seeds. | ||
| This plant prefers dry, semi-shady areas. It can be found growing along the edges of forests, pastures, and turf. | ||
