Origin:
Native to South America, and found in the United States from North Carolina to all of Florida.
Biology:
An summer annual plant that grows in a prostrate, spreading habit, potentially forming thick mats over the soil. Plants favor open, disturbed habitats and flowering occurs from midsummer into early fall.
Identification:
Mature plants form thick mats on the soil. Stems and leaves are very thick and fleshy, with the leaves only about ½ inch long, but wide and flat, and crowded along the stems. Lighter-colored hairs can be found in the axils of the leaves. Flowers occur at the ends of the stems, and they are about ½ inch in diameter and have 5 bright pink to purple petals.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Generally not a particularly invasive weed, but hand removal is effective where the plants are not wanted.
