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Largeflower Mexican Clover, Largeflower Pusley, Florida Snow - Richardia grandiflora


Family: Rubiaceae - Madder family Genus Common Name: Mexican Clover Native Status: IntroducedDicot Annual Perennial Herb
Richardia grandiflora - Largeflower Mexican Clover, Largeflower Pusley, Florida Snow. Richardia is a small genus of plants native to the tropical and sub-tropical areas of the American continents. Richardia grandiflora is related to the Buttonweeds (Diodia) and the Bluets (Houstonia) (not clover), but another, smaller-flowered species in the genus, Richardia scabra, is the only Richardia species that is native to the United States. Richardia grandiflora is a South American (not Mexican) native that is a relative newcomer to the United States, found only in Florida - primarily south and central Florida - and is rapidly spreading in that state. Richardia grandiflora is a low-growing ground cover so it is little impacted by mowing. It is drought-hardy and fairly freeze-hardy - it reportedly can survive in temperatures down to 10 degrees F. It spreads vegetatively as well as via the many small seeds the flowers produce, and is reported to be little impacted by several common herbicides. It can justifiably be considered to be an invasive species.

Found in:
FL
Richardia grandiflora

Distribution of Richardia grandiflora in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Venice, FL Date: 2015-January-20Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The corolla of Richardia grandiflora is lilac or pink (at a distance can appear white) and up to about an inch long. It has the largest flower of the Richardia genus. The corolla is 6-lobed.
Richardia grandiflora

Site: Venice, FL Date: 2015-January-20Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The upper part of the plant is quite hairy, but the hair on the lower parts of the stem are more sparsely hairy.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Richardia grandiflora

Site: Venice, FL Date: 2015-January-20Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
The upper part of the plant is quite hairy, but the hair on the lower parts of the stem are more sparsely hairy.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Richardia grandiflora

References used for identification and information:
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Richardia grandiflora initially published on USWildflowers.com 2016-03-21; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302