<p>Introduced, warm-season, annual or short-lived perennial, more or less prostrate herb; to 25 cm tall and with thick, tough stems that put roots down where the nodes come into contact with the soil. Leaves are oval and usually lobed, with toothed margins; 3-7 veins radiate from the heart-shaped base. Flowers are solitary in the leaf axils and have 5 red to orange-red petals. Flowering is in spring and summer. A native of South America, it is a weed of disturbed areas, such as newly sown pastures and turf; less so
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in crops. It is spread by seed and vegetatively by putting down roots where ever stem nodes contact the ground. It is salt and drought tolerant. Has caused occasional stock poisoning, but its very prostrate habit limits the quantity eaten. Control in pastures by promoting dense swards. Can be controlled by herbicides at the seedling stage, but it is extremely tolerant of glyphosate, often making it a problem weed of direct drilled crops and pastures.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/73840284@N04">Harry Rose</a> from South West Rocks, Australia
CC BY 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/macleaygrassman/14650568945/">Modiola caroliniana leaf1</a>