Home Flower Identifier Flower Details
Wedelia Trilobata
🌸

Wedelia Trilobata

Sphagneticola trilobata

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameWedelia Trilobata
DescriptionHighly invasive mat-forming perennial groundcover with bright yellow daisy-like flowers, listed among world's 100 worst invasive species by IUCN despite ornamental value. Native to tropical Americas but now widespread pest in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, forming dense carpets that smother native vegetation. Spreads aggressively through rooting stem fragments and seeds, thriving in diverse conditions from full sun to shade, making control extremely difficult once established.
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusSphagneticola
TribeHeliantheae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ☿ K0 C(5) A(5) G̅(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, no calyx (pappus may be present), 5 fused petals (ray or disc florets), 5 stamens with fused anthers forming tube around style (syngenesious), 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary typical of Asteraceae

Features
  • Name 'Wedelia' honors Georg Wolfgang Wedel (1645-1721), German botanist. 'Trilobata' means three-lobed, describing leaves. Formerly Wedelia trilobata, reclassified as Sphagneticola trilobata. Listed by IUCN as one of world's 100 worst invasive alien species
  • Bright yellow daisy-like flowers 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across with 8-13 ray florets (petals) surrounding yellow disc florets. Blooms year-round in tropical climates. Flowers followed by small achene seeds that float in water, aiding dispersal
  • Perennial mat-forming groundcover with trailing stems that root at nodes. Opposite three-lobed leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, coarsely toothed, dark green. Stems can reach 6 feet (2 m) long, forming dense mats 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall
  • Grows 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall, spreading indefinitely via rooting stems. Lifespan of many years as perennial. Propagates primarily asexually through stem fragments - any piece touching ground can root. Also spreads by seeds. Extremely fast-growing
  • Native to tropical Americas - Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, northern South America. Now invasive in Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific Islands, southern United States. Thrives in disturbed areas, roadsides, agricultural fields, forest edges, wetlands
  • Extremely adaptable - grows in full sun to deep shade (flowers best in sun). Tolerates wide range of soils - clay, sand, loam. Survives drought, waterlogging, salinity, low nutrients. No frost tolerance. Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates
  • Major ecological threat - forms dense monocultures that displace native plants, reduce biodiversity, alter habitats, clog waterways. All parts toxic causing skin irritation. Decreases food sources for wildlife. Competes with crops. Banned in some regions
  • Control extremely difficult. Mowing spreads fragments. Manual removal must extract all roots. Herbicides (2,4-D, Dicamba, Triclopyr) somewhat effective but require repeated applications. Prevention best strategy - never plant, dispose of garden waste responsibly. Smothering with tarps can work

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificSphagneticola trilobata
English (Alternate)Sphagneticola Trilobata, Creeping Daisy, Singapore Daisy, Creeping Daisy, Trailing Daisy, Yellow Dots, Creeping-oxeye
Hindiपीला भंगरा (Pilabhangara), भंगरा (Bhringra), भानरा (Bhanra)
Tamilமஞ்சள் கரிசலாங்கண்ணி (Manjal Karisalankanni), மஞ்சள் கராம்பு (Manjal Karambhu), பத்தலை கையாந்தகரை (Pattalai Kaiyanta Karai)
Teluguగంటగరగర (Guntagalagara), గంటగరా (Guntagara)
Malayalamകമ്മൽ പൂവ് (Kammal poovu), മഞ്ഞ കാഞ്ഞാണി (Manja kanjanny), സിംഗപ്പൂർ ഡെയ്സി (Singapore Daisy)
Kannadaಗಾರ್ಗರಿ (Gārgari), ಕಲ್ಸರ್ಜಿ(kalsarji)
Sanskritपीतभ्रंग (Pītabhranga), पीतभ्रङ्गारज (Pītabhrṅgarāja)
Bengaliসিঙ্গাপুর ডেইজি (Singapur Daiji), লাটাডেজি( Latadeji), ভৃঙ্গরাজ (Bhringaraj)
Frenchpatte canard
RussianВеделия трёхлопастная (Vedeliya tryokhlobastnaya)
Spanishverde de pantano, planta de pantano
GermanHansenfuss

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.