Description
Spermacoce buckleyi (also called False Buttonweed, among many other common names) is an annual herb that grows up to 0.3 m tall. It is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, and is found in open, disturbed areas such as roadsides, pastures, and waste places.
Uses & Benefits
Spermacoce buckleyi is used as an ornamental plant in gardens. It is also used as a ground cover and to control soil erosion. It has medicinal properties and is used to treat skin diseases, wounds, and infections.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Spermacoce buckleyi is white and tubular, with four petals. The seed is small, black and round. The seedlings are thin and delicate, with small, white flowers.
Cultivation and Propagation
Spermacoce buckleyi is a small, perennial herb that grows up to 20 cm tall. It has a short stem and a spreading habit. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to ovate, and up to 5 cm long. The flowers are small, white, and borne in clusters at the ends of the stems. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in spring or summer in a well-drained soil, and cuttings can be taken in late summer or early autumn.
Where to Find Spermacoce buckleyi
Spermacoce buckleyi can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.