Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis)
Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis)
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Calyptocarpus vialis Less.
Horseherb, Straggler Daisy, Hierba Del Caballo, Lawnflower
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Synedrella vialis, Synedrellopsis grisebachii
USDA Symbol: CAVI2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I)
Depending on your point of view, Straggler Daisy or Horseherb is a pest or a welcome, shade-tolerant groundcover that tolerates moderate foot traffic. If you have a shady lawn anywhere within its range, you probably already have it. It gained in popularity during the growth in interest in native plants and is now occasionally available for sale at native plant nurseries (though it is so easy to propagate that you can easily grow it on your own). Thriving in sun or shade, its tiny, yellow daisy flowers add a minute touch of color to shady areas and attract small butterflies like sulfurs and skippers.
Because it is dormant in cold winters, mix with cool-season spring annuals and evergreens for continuous color. In central Texas, Baby Blue-eyes (Nemophila phacelioides), Widow's Tears (Commelina spp.), False Dayflower (Tinantia anomala), Violet Ruellia (Ruellia nudiflora), and sedges (Carex spp.) are good companion plants for shady areas.
Plant Characteristics
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Deltoid
Leaf Pubescence: Strigose
Leaf Margin: Serrate
Inflorescence: Axillary
Size Notes: 6-12 inches high
Leaf: medium green
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Will bloom year-round in frost-free regions.
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , LA , MS , TXNative Distribution: Native to 5 southern coastal states, per ARS GRIN. USDA Plants does not consider it native anywhere in North America.
Native Habitat: Woodlands, fields, meadows, often in disturbed soils.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, calcareous preferred
Conditions Comments: Evergreen in areas with mild or no winter, deciduous in areas with cold winters. Sometimes struggles with heavy fallen tree leaves that don't decompose quickly.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A good shade groundcover with small, yellow daisy flowers. Also does well in full sun.Use Wildlife: Attracts small butterflies
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsDescription: Easily propagated by cuttings or divisions. Though this species may be propagated by seed, it is rarely done because the seeds are difficult to collect in quantity. Seeds are rarely if ever commercially available.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Mow if desired to keep even and to clear away dead growth in areas where it goes dormant in the winter. May need supplemental water to look its best in hot, full sun areas during extended drought.
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAVI2
Image Information
Photographer: Schroeder, SusanCity: Camp Wood
County: Real
State: TX
Location Notes: Roaring Springs Ranch
Accession date: 2025-09-08
Filename: SMS_IMG0260.JPG
Slide Index: SMS_CAYI2-20160512-04.jpg
Restrictions: Unrestricted
Collection: Wildflower Center Digital Library
Original Format: Digital
Orientation: Portrait
Shot: Close-up of leaves and a radiate capitulum.
Date Taken: 2016-05-12
NPIN Image Id: 184319
