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Lytle, Melody
Calyptocarpus vialis Less.
Straggler daisy, Horseherb, Hierba del caballo, Lawnflower
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
USDA Symbol: CAVI2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Depending on your point of view, Straggler Daisy or Horseherb is a pest or a welcome, shade-tolerant groundcover that tolerates moderate foot traffic. If you have a shady lawn anywhere within its range, you probably already have it. It gained in popularity during the growth in interest in native plants and is now occasionally available for sale at native plant nurseries (though it is so easy to propagate that you can easily grow it on your own). Thriving in sun or shade, its tiny, yellow daisy flowers add a minute touch of color to shady areas and attract small butterflies like sulfurs and skippers.
Because it is dormant in cold winters, mix with cool-season spring annuals and evergreens for continuous color. In central Texas, Baby Blue-eyes (Nemophila phacelioides), Widows Tears (Commelina spp.), False Dayflower (Tinantia anomala), Violet Ruellia (Ruellia nudiflora), and sedges (Carex spp.) are good companion plants for shady areas.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Deltoid
Leaf Pubescence: Strigose
Leaf Margin: Serrate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Inflorescence: Axillary
Size Notes: 6-12 inches high
Leaf: medium green
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Will bloom year-round in frost-free regions.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , FL , GA , HI , LA , NM , TXNative Distribution: South-central and southeastern U.S. to Central America and Cuba
Native Habitat: Woodlands, fields, meadows, often in disturbed soils
USDA Native Status: L48(I), HI(I)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, calcareous preferred
Conditions Comments: Evergreen in areas with mild or no winter, deciduous in areas with cold winters. Sometimes struggles with heavy fallen tree leaves that dont decompose quickly.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A good shade groundcover with small, yellow daisy flowers. Also does well in full sun.Use Wildlife: Attracts small butterflies
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Easily propagated by cuttings or divisions. Though this species may be propagated by seed, it is rarely done because the seeds are difficult to collect in quantity. Seeds are rarely if ever commercially available.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Mow if desired to keep even and to clear away dead growth in areas where it goes dormant in the winter. May need supplemental water to look its best in hot, full sun areas during extended drought.
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0338 Collected May 25, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT 0390 Collected May 17, 1993 in Comal County by Mary Beth White
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-MM-793 Collected 2010-11-16 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Calyptocarpus vialis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Calyptocarpus vialis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calyptocarpus vialis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-11-17Research By: Damon Waitt, GDG
