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Spermacoce verticillata L.
Shrubby False Buttonweed
Whitehead Broom
Southern Larraflower
Not native to Florida
Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.
Planting this species should be avoided and removal of existing plants may be desirable.
A frequent herb of disturbed sites in much of the peninsula except for the coastal counties of the Big Bend area. Also found in Escambia and Franklin Counties. Native to tropical America Spermacoce verticillata has also been introduced as a non-native in Texas.
The erect, branching, somewhat woody stems can reach up to 70cm (27-1/2 in.) tall. Leaves are opposite, lanceolate to elliptic, with entire margins and tapering towards the tip. Leaves are 3-5cm (1-3/16 to 2 in.) long and 5-10mm (2/10 t0 4/10 in.) wide.
The small flowers are in somewhat spherical heads 1-1.5cm (4/10 to 6/10 in.) in diameter and subtended by a pair of leafy bracts. The inflorescences are both terminal and present in the upper leaf axils. The individual flowers are white, about 3mm (1/8 in.) in overall length, and with unequal calyx lobes, 2 long and 2 short. The fruit is a small 2-celled capsule containing small, flat, black seeds.
Shrubby False Buttonweed is an. important nectar source for Larra bicolor a South American parasitoid wasp that has been introduced to Florida to combat invasive mole crickets (Genus Neoscapteriscus.
Spermacoce verticillata is a member of the Rubiaceae - Madder family.
Other species of the Spermacoce genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Spermacoce keyensis - FLORIDA FALSE BUTTONWEED
Spermacoce remota - WOODLAND FALSE BUTTONWEED
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Sep 27, 2023
