Native Plants

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Marcus, Joseph A.

Modiola caroliniana

Modiola caroliniana (L.) G. Don

Carolina Bristlemallow, Carolina Modiola

Malvaceae (Mallow Family)

Synonym(s): Modiola multifida

USDA Symbol: moca

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I)

A low creeping perennial with reddish-orange to purple-red flowers on slender stalks in leaf axils.

This widely distributed species, abundant in the South, is often a lawn weed. It has many branches, and roots at the nodes.

From the Image Gallery

7 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Subshrub
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Schizocarp
Size Notes: Stems trailing to ascending, up to about 18 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , DE , FL , GA , HI , LA , MA , MS , NC , OK , OR , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: New Jersey and Pennsylvania south to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma; also in Oregon, California, and Arizona.
Native Habitat: Lawns, gardens, disturbed sites, and wet areas.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU		FAC		FACU	FAC	FACU		FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1016 Collected 2007-05-05 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Modiola caroliniana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Modiola caroliniana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Modiola caroliniana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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