Spermacoce prostrata (prostrate false buttonweed) is a species of plants in the Rubiaceae. In the United States, it is widespread in Florida, with a few isolated populations in Alabama and Mississippi.Biota of North America ProgramWunderlin, R. P. 1998. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida i–x, 1–806. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. The species is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Turks & Caicos, the Lesser Antilles, and the Dutch and Venezuelan Antilles. It is also widespread in South America, found in every country except Chile. The species is reportedly naturalized in Hawaii, China (Hainan, Hong Kong), Japan, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Java.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant FamiliesFlora of China, v 19 p 328, 匍匐丰花草 pu fu feng hua cao, Spermacoce prostrata Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera. 2012. Rubiaceae a Verbenaceae. 4(2): i–xvi, 1–533. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
Description S. prostrata may reach up to 40 centimeters (approximately 16 inches) in height. Leaves are oppositely arranged, with blades 10 to 35 millimeters (0.4 to 1.4 inches) long. Inflorescence is axillary and range in number from few to many).Berger, W., ed. 1993. Flora Costaricensis. Fieldiana Botany New Series, No. 33: Family #202 Rubiaceae.
References
External links US Department of Agriculture Plants Profile La Selva Florula Digital, Páginas de Especies: Spermacoce prostrata East Tennessee Wildflowers, Buttonweed Gardening Europe Encyclopedia of Life Florida Natives, prostrate falst buttonweed