Sphagneticola trilobata
Sphagneticola trilobata
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 700 metres[1]. Plant tops can be killed by frosts, but the roots will survive at least some frost and regrow with warmer weather[2]. Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade, flowering more heavily in a sunny position[1, 2]. Succeeds in most soil types[1]. Prefers a well-drained soil, but is very tolerant, succeeding in dry and moist conditions, tolerating inundation and withstanding drought[1, 2]. The plant is very salt-resistant, growing well near the sea[1, 2]. Sphagneticola trilobata spreads rapidly at the roots and is often cultivated as an ornamental ground cover. It readily escapes from gardens and becomes established in the wild, quickly spreading to form a dense ground cover that crowds out or prevents the regeneration of other species. In plantations, it will compete with crops for nutrients, light and water, and reduce crop yields. The plant is listed as one of the world's top hundred worst invasive alien species by the IUCN, and the Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council classified it as a category II invader. This species continues to be available as an ornamental and is therefore likely to spread further[1, 3]. Plants can flower all year round[3].
Propagation
Seed - Division Tip cuttings are very easy[2]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Sphagneticola+trilobata>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Global Invasive Species Database — http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ ↩︎Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range.
- [2]Desert Tropicals — http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ ↩︎The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
- [3]Invasive Species Compendium — http://www.cabi.org ↩︎An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc).
- [4]Flora of Guatemala — Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark · 1946 - 1976 · http://www.archive.org/ ↩︎A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/
- [5]Medicinal Plants of the Guianas — DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J. · Smithsonian Museum · http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html ↩︎A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region