The Genus Dichondra
Family: Convolvulaceae
Dichondra is a genus of 16 species. They are native mostly to the Americas (a few in Australia) but one, Dichondra repens, has a cosmopolitan distribution. In our region, none of them are really invasive or problematic. Naturally we have three species.
Dichondra species are spreading, very low-growing plants—usually only a few inches high, and spreading almost indefinitely. It surprises many people to learn that dichondra plants are essentially very small-flowering, low growing morning glory vines!
People most often plant dichondra plants to soften the landscape, as a lawn substitute. But they also make good plants for tortoise enclosures since tortoises loves the foliage and they are very low-growing and spreading which keeps up with tortoise appetites.
The two most common species are the green Dichondra repens, which is the species most often used as a lawn substitute or groundcover, and Silver Falls Dichondra (Dichondra argentea) which is grown as an ornamental, often in hanging baskets or in tall containers where the plant can spill over the sides.
Photo of silver falls dichondra (Dichondra argentea) by Teresa Grau Ros
Silver ponyfoot is a common leafy ornamental in the trade, but few people notice the tiny flowers. Native under desert scrub, grasslands, and oak woodland, photo by Patrick Alexander, SEINET
New Mexico ponyfoot (Dichondra brachypoda) is found in oak woodland and the lower ponderosa pine zone in Arizona. Photo by Patrick Alexander, SEINET
Though it's really more green, Dichondra sericea is known as silver-leaf ponyfoot. It is mostly native in Mexico, but shows up in Arizona on the border. Photo by Patrick Alexander, SEINET
The commonly available Dichondra repens and the sort of application you often find for the species. Photo by The Plant Attraction