Acmella repens (Walter) Rich.

Creeping Spotflower; Opposite Leaf Spotflower

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Opposite Leaf Spotflower is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is found primarily in the southern half of Alabama. Opposite Leaf Spotflower grows on river banks, pond edges, and in wet ditches. This plant has creeping prostrate stems that root when in contact with the soil. Floating stems sometimes produce roots in the water. The stems are green or reddish in color and pubescent. Opposite Leaf Spotflower has—you guessed it!—opposite leaves. The leaves are petiolate, ovate to lance-ovate in outline, pubescent, with toothed margins. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are terminal and solitary on long peduncles. Heads have 5-20 yellow ray flowers and 25-100 yellow disc flowers in a conic or hemispheric arrangement. The fruit is an achene that is black in color with small teeth along its margin. Opposite Leaf Spotflower is an easy to grow aquatic or semi-aquatic plant. It will thrive as long as it has full or partial sun and plenty of water. It can be grown from rooted sections of the stem or from seed. Opposite Leaf Spotflower can be used along the margins of ponds or pools, or in low spots that collect water.--A. Diamond

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Native

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