Scarlet Spiderling
Boerhavia coccinea
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Most people probably consider this a weed. But it’s a native plant, and it is important to pollinators as a nectar plant and larval food plant. An herbaceous, warm-season perennial, this plant stays fairly low to the ground, spreading about 2’ or more. Often forms small colonies. Flowers in warm weather, which are red to purple, and sticky.
Full to part sun, moderate to low water, hardiness unknown but probably to the single digits °F.
Larval food plant for the terloo sphinx moth (Proserpinus terlooii), and the White-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata). Good for tortoises too.
Photo by Max Licher, SEINET
Boerhavia coccines on iNaturalist
In traditional Mexican Medicine, B. coccinea has been used to treat conditions such as diarrhea and dysentery. The plant is usually used medicinally to treat pain and inflammation because of its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties. The chemical explanation for these properties is an active topic of research. It is also eaten by humans and used as animal feed. A flour can be made from its seeds.
There are numerous other species of Boerhavia but this is probably the nicest-looking species. All are native and worth keeping around if you have the space for them.
Boerhavia is for Hermann Boerhaave (1663-1738) a Dutch botanist, while coccinea means scarlet or bright, deep pink.
This is a widespread plant, whose native range is not certain, but probably includes the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. It is present across the southeastern United States, where it may be naturalized. It is also present in Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. It is present on many Pacific islands, including the Hawaiian Islands, where it is an invasive species and a noxious weed.