Horseherb (aka straggler daisy) is a native plant that is regarded by many as being a weed. However, it’s very dainty and often grows in patches where grass can’t, like in areas with heavy weeds. Following a decent rain in warm weather, it sports tiny yellow blooms.
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- Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is an herb in the Equisetaceae family of plants. It’s also called “bottle-brush” or “horse herb.” People have been using horsetail since ancient Greek and Roman times. The plant has been used as a medicinal herb to treat bo osteoporosis ), tuberculosis, and kidney problems.
What is the Greek horse herb?
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is an herb in the Equisetaceae family of plants. It’s also called “bottle-brush” or “horse herb.” People have been using horsetail since ancient Greek and Roman times. The plant has been used as a medicinal herb to treat bone loss (osteoporosis), tuberculosis, and kidney problems.
Is horse herb edible?
Horseherb or Calyptocarpus vialis is a lovely, adaptable, durable groundcover that provides nectar for small pollinators. Not just horses, but other mammals including dogs and humans can be seen chewing on the leaves when they need some greens. For me, the flavor is a little spicier when eaten in quantity.
What herb is known as the horse herb?
Calyptocarpus vialis (Horseherb) | Native Plants of North America.
Is horse herb invasive?
Because horseherb may expand by stolons (runners) and rooting from the stems, it can become invasive (weedy!) in rich garden soil. However, it is an excellent groundcover for dry shady areas and it is finding more and more use as a shady lawn substitute.
Is horse herb Evergreen?
MAINTENANCE. AM: Horseherb is semi-evergreen, doesn’t use much water, can grow in sun or shade, and practically propagates itself.
What is horse chestnut herb good for?
Horse chestnut extract has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and may help relieve pain and inflammation caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). It may also benefit other health conditions like hemorrhoids and male infertility caused by swollen veins.
What kills horse herb?
The weed killer that specifically states “ Creeping Charlie” will kill it and is selective because CC is another root spreading weed. Spray it early in the year when it is blooming for best results.
What does horse herb look like?
Also called straggler daisy, horse herb is a low growing plant with dime-size heart-shaped leaves with tiny yellow flowers. Right now it is common in thin lawns on shallow soils in sun or shade. It grows so thick in its favorite habitats that the lawn can look like it has been overseeded.
How do you spread horse herb?
“HOW TO EASILY “SEED” AN AREA: Simply find a fast growing, blooming stand of Horseherb and mow it periodically using a lawnmower with a grass catcher attachment. Then thinly spread the Horseherb catchings (clippings) onto the area to be planted.
How do I get rid of Calyptocarpus vialis?
It is drought-tolerant, shade-tolerant, and can even take light foot traffic. It can also be mowed for use as a lawn substitute ground cover. As for controlling its aggressive habit, simply use a small garden tool to remove unwanted plants by digging up the central root of each individual plant.
How do you control straggler daisies?
You can buy herbicides specifically for a broadleaf plant, and spray it on the area. It will not damage the monocot grasses it is mixed in with. However, spray with great caution, and try to find a windless day. Remember, your ornamental shrubs and trees are broadleaf plants, too.
How do straggler daisies grow?
“HOW TO EASILY “SEED” AN AREA: Simply find a fast growing, blooming stand of Horseherb and mow it periodically using a lawnmower with a grass catcher attachment. Then thinly spread the Horseherb catchings (clippings) onto the area to be planted.
How do you grow silver Ponyfoot?
Growing Conditions
- Water Use: Medium.
- Light Requirement: Sun, Part Shade.
- Soil Moisture: Dry.
- Heat Tolerant: yes.
- Soil Description: well draining soil.
- Conditions Comments: An perennial groundcover useful for covering large areas in open, sunny sites in well-drained soil.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Find native plants by searching for them by their scientific name, common name, or family. You may also try theCombination Search or one of our Recommended Specieslists if you aren’t sure what you are looking for. Melody Lytle and Melody Lytle
Calyptocarpus vialis
Straggler Daisy or Horseherb, depending on your point of view, is either a bothersome pest or a pleasant shade-tolerant groundcover that can withstand mild human traffic. You most likely already have it if you have a shaded lawn anywhere within its area. It has risen in popularity as a result of the increase in interest in native plants, and it is now occasionally available for purchase at native plant nurseries and specialty shops (though it is so easy to propagate that you can easily grow it on your own).
Because it goes into dormancy during cold winters, combine it with cool-season spring annuals and evergreens to provide continuous color throughout the season.
), False Dayflower (Tinantia anomala), Ruellia nudiflora, and sedges (Carex spp.) are all excellent companion plants for shaded places.
Bloom Information
Yellow is the color of the blooms. Blooming Season: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November Notes on blooming: In frost-free climates, this plant will bloom all year.
Distribution
Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas Native Distribution:According to the ARS GRIN, native to five southern coastal states. USDA Plants does not believe it to be indigenous to any part of North America. Woodlands, fields, and meadows, frequently in disturbed soils, are the native habitat of this species.
Growing Conditions
Water Consumption: Low to Moderate Light Requirements: Direct sunlight, partial shade, or shade Moisture content of the soil: dry, moist Drought Tolerance: Extremely High When it comes to soil, well-drained sand, loam and clay are desirable; caliche and calcareous are also acceptable. Conditions In locations with moderate or no winter, evergreen trees are preferred; in areas with hard winters, deciduous trees are preferred. Sometimes it is difficult to move thick fallen tree leaves that are not decomposing rapidly.
Benefit
Use as an ornament: A good shade groundcover with petite, yellow daisy blossoms makes a lovely display. It also grows nicely in direct sunlight. Make use of wildlife: Attracts a variety of tiny butterflies. Yes, there is some interesting foliage. Attracts:Butterflies Yes, there is a source of nectar.
Propagation
Root division and seeds are the most common types of propagation material. The plant may be grown by cuttings or divisions. Description: Despite the fact that this species may be propagated by seed, it is seldom done so due to the difficulty in collecting large quantities of seeds. Seeds are rarely, if ever, available for purchase in the commercial marketplace.
Commercially available: yesMaintenance: Mow if desired to maintain the lawn even and to remove dead growth in areas where the grass lies dormant in the winter months. During a prolonged drought, it may be necessary to provide more water to ensure that the plant looks its best.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native grasses for East Texas that do not require mowing or irrigation are available. June 16, 2010Can you tell me about a natural grass that may be grown in deep East Texas that doesn’t require any additional irrigation or mowing? to see the complete question and answer Shade-giving native grasses for the city of Dallas November 30, 2008What kind of natural grasses may be cultivated beneath huge Live Oak trees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? The combination of shade and black gumbo dirt appears to keep all plant life, with the exception of poison ivy and ferns, out of the backyard.
- to see the complete question and answer Trails in Northeast Texas need to be protected from the elements.
- Both sand and black soil are present.
- to see the complete question and answer In Bastrop County, sedges and ornamentals providing shade are popular.
- The elm and pecan trees provide shade for the majority of the yard.
- to see the complete question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
These plants are now on exhibit at the following sites, according to a species list given by Affiliate Organizations. The Fredericksburg Nature Center is located in Fredericksburg, Texas. exas Discovery Gardens is located in Dallas, Texas. Brackenridge Field Laboratory is located near Austin, Texas. atsy Glenn Refuge is located in Wimberley, Texas. The Native Plant Society of Texas is based in Fredericksburg, Texas. The Nueces River Authority is based in Uvalde, Texas. Chapter of the National Park Service in Austin, TX Jacob’s Well Natural Area is located in Wimberley, Texas.
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT0390 Mary Beth White collected this specimen on May 17, 1993, in Comal County. Harry Cliffe collected this specimen on May 25, 1987, in Bexar County, Texas.
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-MM-793 The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center collected this specimen on November 15, 2006, in Hays County.
Metadata
Record last updated on:2018-05-07. Research By:Damon Waitt, GDGo back to the beginning
Horseherb: The Native Turf Alternative
Turf grasses are beautiful and have a variety of applications; however, not everyone has the luxury of turning their yard into a flowerbed. As far as “common knowledge” goes, grass is required for pets to relieve themselves and for children to play on. While this is arguable, it is true that grass does not always grow where it is required, particularly in deeply shaded places where it is most needed. In response to patchy sections in their yard, some homeowners would increase their irrigation system or re-sod the area on a consistent basis.
- The herb horseherb might be of great assistance in this situation.
- It is, on the other hand, highly delicate and frequently grows in places where grass cannot, such as in regions with a lot of weeds.
- It may mean the difference between having barren areas or not in many yards!
- It behaves similarly to ordinary grass in that it may be mowed and walked on without causing any problems.
- It may die back a little throughout the winter, but it will bounce back rapidly following the first spring rains.
Occasionally you may need to water by hand, but you can say goodbye to the hassles of constant re-sodding and maintaining the green of St. Augustine fields in the blazing heat of July.
Love It or Leave It: Horseherb
Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis), often known as Straggler Daisy, is a wonderful plant. There doesn’t appear to be much room for ambiguity in this situation. Depending on who you ask, this small groundcover is either adored or despised with an ardor. I fall within the first category. This small plant is one of my favorites. What is it about it that I find so appealing? If you’ve ever passed through a field of horseherb, you’ll be greeted with an extraordinarily rich sea of green, punctuated by the daintiest of small yellow blooms to attract your attention.
- At Hornsby Bend, there is a field of horseherb.
- It only need water during the most severe droughts, and it prefers both shade and sunlight.
- Augustine grasses.
- Although horseherb is classified as a semi-evergreen plant, it blooms throughout the year with the exception of cold winter climates.
- Horseherb, as an added benefit, attracts a variety of little butterflies, including sulfurs and skippers.
- It’s an environmentally responsible way to maintain a lawn without having to use toxic pesticides or fertilizers, or use excessive quantities of water to keep it looking good.
- What makes some people desire to leave the country?
Horseherb is a rival for people who maintain a grass lawn, and it may be tough to get rid of once established.
It is said that this plant performs poorly in locations where the leaves are thick and take a long time to disintegrate, and this is one of the features of this plant.
In a wildflower field, I have to think that it would be a competitor, but it would all rely on the goals you have for your yard or location in the first place.
Bermuda Grass and St.
I despise the unidentified weeds that have taken over my backyard.
However, I did enjoy it when I could see it, which was a lot more than I did when the buffalograss wasn’t dead.
Will I come to regret it?
However, I do regret having Bermuda and St.
At the very least, horseherb is indigenous.
I’ll try my best to keep horseherb under control in the sections of the garden that I want to keep looking nice. And it’s fantastic everywhere else! So, how do you feel about it? Do you want to be in love with it or leave it?
PLANTanswers: Plant Answers > Horseherb or Straggler Daisy
Calyptocarpus vialis is a species of Calyptocarpus. Less. Straggler daisy, Horseherb, Hierba del caballo, Prostrate Lawnflower, and creeping Cinderella-weed are some of the plants that grow in the wild. Asteraceae is a family of flowering plants (Aster Family) Straggler Daisy or Horseherb, depending on your point of view, is either a bothersome pest or a pleasant shade-tolerant groundcover that can withstand mild human traffic. You most likely already have it if you have a shaded lawn anywhere within its area.
- Succeeding in both the sun and the shade, its tiny, yellow daisy blossoms give a subtle splash of color to shaded regions while attracting little butterflies like as sulfurs and skippers.
- For shaded locations in central Texas, Baby Blue-eyes (Nemophila phacelioides), Widows Tears (Commelina spp.
- Characteristics of the Plant Period of time: indefinite Affection: Herb, Forb Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen in appearance.
- Dimensions: 6-12 inches in height Leaf color is a medium green.
- Bloom Season: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November Notes on blooming: In frost-free climates, this plant will bloom all year.
- Non-native in other parts of Texas and the United States.
- Environmental Factors Water Consumption: Low to Moderate Light Requirements: Direct sunlight, partial shade, or shade Moisture of the soil: dry or moist Drought Tolerance: Extremely High Yes, it is heat resistant.
Conditions The plant is evergreen in locations where the winters are mild or nonexistent, and deciduous in areas where the winters are cold.
Benefit Use as an ornament: A good shade groundcover with petite, yellow daisy blossoms makes a lovely display.
Use Wildlife: The Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia), a North and South American butterfly in the Nymphalidae family, is attracted to the plant, which attracts little butterflies in particular.
Straggler Daisy, Calyptocarpus vialis, is a host plant for the Bordered Patch butterfly, which may be found in abundance in the wild.
A statement on Plants’ website states that it is “slightly deer resistant,” which may imply that it isn’t particularly tasty—at least not to deer.
Yes, there is some interesting foliage.
Propagation Root division and seeds are the most common types of propagation material.
Description: Despite the fact that this species may be propagated by seed, it is seldom done so due to the difficulty in collecting large quantities of seeds.
HOW TO QUICKLY AND EASILY “SEED” A SPACE: Simply locate a Horseherb stand that is rapidly growing and blossoming, and mow it on a regular basis using a lawnmower equipped with a grass catcher attachment.
Allow the clippings to dry for a few days before watering or for the next rainstorm to sprout the very little seeds that were collected during the mowing process.
It is important to note that Horseherb does not destroy or push out grasses; rather, the grass becomes thin or dies, and the Horseherb fills in the gaps.
Lawn maintenance: Mow if necessary to maintain the lawn even and to remove dead growth from spots where the grass remains dormant in the winter.
On the web at: and Bib ref 318: Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region, which contains information from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (2002) S.A.
Horseherb, the “All-Star Plant” or something else?
Dr.
It was him who collected the small seed and had test beds set up around the area.
Horseherb is difficult to handle since it prefers to choose you and your yard rather than being chosen by the gardener.
It is currently popular on thin lawns on shallow soils in either the sun or the shade.
Its ability to serve as a superb groundcover is one of its many all-star qualities.
On such soils, mowing the sustainable winter lawn every two weeks might result in a lawn that looks better than the typical summer lawn.
After years of futile attempts to manage horseherb with pre-emergent and contact herbicides, I reluctantly joined the horseherb appreciator camp.
Horseherb is very vulnerable to prolonged periods of dry weather.
Just when you think you might be able to get away with skipping St Augustine or Bermuda grass in favor of horseherb, we are hit with a four-week drought that leaves the ground barren where horseherb used to be abundant!
There are a number of additional favorable horseherb features to take into consideration as well.
Wildlife biologists have repeatedly stated that deer are browsers, not grazers, throughout history.
They require nourishment from broadleaf plants, which is found in the leaves and stems of the plants.
If you look closely, you will notice that the broadleaf weed horseherb is the component of the lawn that they are consuming.
The year before last, butterflies had a really good year.
Horseherb was one of the nectar sources available.
The presence of horseherb in a neighborhood meant that visits to the lawn area by butterflies, particularly black swallowtails, were quite obvious if you lived there. A large number of black swallowtail butterflies and other butterflies could be found in the vicinity of the deer browsing groups.
| Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) seedlings four days after rain. | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) seedlings four days after rain. |
| Horseherb | Horseherb |
| Horseherb | Horseherb |
| Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) |
| Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) |
| Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) |
| Horseherb Lawn | Horseherb Lawn |
| Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) |
| Horseherb | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) |
| Horseherb Closeup | Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) Seed size compared to dime. |
Horseherb more like a stubborn donkey for groundcover
Horseherb (Calyptecarpus vialis) is a flowering plant that is not as spectacular as the majority of the blooming plants we have described. However, despite its unassuming look, horseherb needs to be recognized for the significant function it plays in a variety of settings across the world. Horseherb, also known as straggler daisy, is a reseeding perennial that grows to be a small, low-growing plant with dime-size, heart-shaped leaves and tiny yellow flowers. Jerry Parsons, one of my colleagues on Milberger’s Gardening South Texas, conducted research on the potential of horseherb as a commercial groundcover a few years ago.
- Horseherb transplants are infrequently available on the retail nursery market, but it is unlikely to play a significant part in the future of the industry.
- Horseherb is difficult to handle, and, like a stray cat, it prefers to choose you and your yard rather than being chosen by the gardener himself or herself.
- It may get so dense in its preferred environments that it appears as though the grass has been overseeded.
- Prune esperanza, poinciana, duranta, lantana, firebush, and other root-hardy plants back to the ground if the tops of the plants are destroyed by the freezing temperatures.
- During the winter, just a little amount of watering is required for the grass.
- Grow a variety of different colored leaf lettuces in pots on the patio for something unusual: “Bright Lights” Swiss chard, spinach, green onions, or bluebonnets.
- Planting shade plants and shrubs now is a great time of year to get a jump start on the season.
In fact, one of its all-star-worthy characteristics is that it is a fantastic groundcover for other plants.
On such soils, mowing the sustainable winter lawn every two weeks might result in a lawn that looks better than the typical summer lawn.
The plant appears to be invincible, but only in terms of its own survival.
Don’t get me wrong, it will survive, but it will be extinct soon enough.
Augustine or Bermuda grass in favor of horseherb in your landscaping.
There are a variety of additional favorable horseherb features to take into consideration.
Wildlife biologists have repeatedly stated that deer are browsers, not grazers, throughout history.
They require nourishment from broadleaf plants, which is found in the leaves and stems of the plants.
If you look closely, though, you will notice that the broadleaf weed horseherb is the component of the lawn that they are devouring.
The year before last, butterflies had a really good year.
Horseherb was one of the nectar sources available.
Visit plantanswers.com for additional information on the horseherb-centered, sustainable winter lawn, as well as Parsons’ work with horseherb. Calvin Finch is a retired horticulture from Texas A&M University. [email protected]
Is horse-herb (calyptocarpus vialis) edible?
Question:Hello, I’ve noticed that horse-herb may be found everywhere. Is it also edible in some way? Thanks! Answer: Mr.Smarty Plants has not been able to locate any information on the prospective edibility ofCalyptocarpus vialis, which is a kind of tree (straggler daisy). None of the reference books listed below under “Bibliography” have it included in their indexes or tables. However, we were unable to locate it on any of our favorite poisonous plant databases, which include the following: The Texas Toxic Plant Database is a database of toxic plants found in Texas.
- A database of poisonous plants maintained by the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Research Center.
- While it’s unlikely that ingesting any would cause you to get violently ill (if it were terribly lethal, I’m confident that it would be listed in at least one of those harmful databases), you may experience some unpleasant side effects from doing so.
- Because it is so widely available, it seems likely that if it were truly tasty, someone would have mentioned it by now.
- Smarty Plants has more information about Edible Plants.
- (California) to see the complete question and answer Question: On the 28th of July, 2005, What workshops do you provide, and what information do you have on recognizing wild edible plants that may be found in Texas?
- In links or books, good, clear photographs will be really beneficial.
- I’m having a great time exploring your website.
- to see the complete question and answer
How to grow horse herb?
Question:Hello, I’ve noticed that horse-herb may be found everywhere. Is it also edible in some way? Thanks! Answer: Mr.Smarty Plants has not been able to locate any information on the prospective edibility ofCalyptocarpus vialis, which is a kind of tree (straggler daisy). None of the reference books listed below under “Bibliography” have it included in their indexes or tables. However, we were unable to locate it on any of our favorite poisonous plant databases, which include the following: The Texas Toxic Plant Database is a database of toxic plants found in Texas.
A database of poisonous plants maintained by the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Research Center.
While it’s unlikely that ingesting any would cause you to get violently ill (if it were terribly lethal, I’m confident that it would be listed in at least one of those harmful databases), you may experience some unpleasant side effects from doing so.
Because it is so widely available, it seems likely that if it were truly tasty, someone would have mentioned it by now.
Smarty Plants has more information about Edible Plants.
(California) to see the complete question and answer Question: On the 28th of July, 2005, What workshops do you provide, and what information do you have on recognizing wild edible plants that may be found in Texas?
In links or books, good, clear photographs will be really beneficial.
Hiking is something we like doing, and we’d like to know what we could eat in an emergency event, as well as how to augment our nutrition when camping. I’m having a great time exploring your website. Thanks. to see the complete question and answer