Largeflower Mexican Clover, Largeflower Pusley

Richardia grandiflora in St. Augustine turf.	Richardia grandiflora seed and seed-head
Largeflower Mexican Clover flowers	Richardia grandiflora wide view

Richardia (Mexican-clover) is a flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae (which includes coffee, gardenia, cinchona, sweet woodruff, ixora and noni), native to tropical to warm temperate regions of the Americas. They are herbaceous perennial plants. According to the IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas May 2007, this plant is a wildflower considered "Not a problem species", although if is growing in your turf, you may think otherwise as it is difficult to control.

Plant Facts:

Common Name:   Largeflower Mexican Clover, Largeflower Pusley

Botanical Name:   Richardia grandiflora

Family:  Rubiaceae

Plant Type:  Creeping perennial herb

Origin: Brazil

Zones: 8 - 11

Height: to 1"

Rate of Growth: Spreads to form clumps quickly

Salt Tolerance:

Soil Requirements:  Turf and disturbed sites

Water Requirements: Medium drought tolerance

Nutritional Requirements:

Light Requirements: Partial shade to full sun

Form:  Low growing, spreading herb

Leaves: .5" to .75" long, medium green

Flowers: Whitish lilac in full sun, darker lilac color in shaded locations

Fruits: 

Pests or diseases: 

Uses:  Bees seem to enjoy collecting the nectar

Bad Habits: Annoying, invasive perennial weed, treat with Weed & Feed type fertilizers containing atrazine

Cost: 

Propagation:  Seed and stem fragments

Sources: Thanks to George Rogers, Ph.D. (Professor III, Palm Beach Community College) special to "Residences", The Palm Beach Post, for his help identifying the proper name of this plant; Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds, Lambert Blanchard McCarty