Scoparia dulcis

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 1: 116. 1753.

Common names: Licorice-weed
WeedyIllustrated
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 17. Treatment on page 276. Mentioned on page 274.

Annuals or perennials. Stems erect to ascending, usually much-branched distally, (17–)30–100(–150) cm, glabrous or puberulent. Leaves: blade oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate or rhombic, 8–53 × 3–25 mm, base tapered to cuneate, margins crenate to dentate in distal 1/2. Inflorescences: flowers 1 or 2(or 3) per axil; bracts narrowly oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, 4–35 mm. Pedicels 2–10 mm, glabrous. Flowers: calyx lobes 4, ovate to elliptic-ovate, 1.2–1.5 × 0.6–1 mm, margins ciliolate; corolla white, sometimes tinged pink or lavender, 2–2.5 × 3–4 mm. Capsules ovoid to subglobose, (1.6–)2–2.5(–4) × 1.4–2 mm. Seeds: 0.1–0.3 mm. 2n = 40 (India).


Phenology: Flowering May–Nov(–Jan).
Habitat: Marshes, wet hammocks, flatwoods, sandy woods, disturbed sites.
Elevation: 0–300 m.

Distribution

Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., S.C., Tex., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, introduced in Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar), Australia.

Discussion

Scoparia dulcis is a pantropical weed. Noting that it was a widespread weed in lowland tropical America, F. W. Pennell (1935) believed that it was adventive in the United States. Most United States floras consider it to be native in the flora area, and it is treated that way here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Scoparia dulcis"
Craig C. Freeman +
Linnaeus +
Licorice-weed +
Ala. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, La. +, Miss. +, S.C. +, Tex. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, South America +, introduced in Asia +, Africa +, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar) +  and Australia. +
0–300 m. +
Marshes, wet hammocks, flatwoods, sandy woods, disturbed sites. +
Flowering May–Nov(–Jan). +
Weedy +  and Illustrated +
Scoparia dulcis +
Scoparia +
species +