NPSOT Logo
Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language
Search

Native Plant Society of Texas

Search
Close this search box.

Silver Ponyfoot

Dichondra argentea

Other common name(s):

Carolina ponyfoot, Silver Ponysfoot

Family:

Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover

Height

0.25
to
0.5
ft.

Spread

2
to
2.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Unknown

Wildlife Benefit

Unknown

Maintenance

Good drainage critical, do not overwater. Makes a great groundcover in natural gardens. Colonizes by stolons, mat-forming. Propagation: Plant division.

Comments

Blooms April-October. Native to west Texas. Attractive silver-gray foliage on low-growing runners. Leaves are hairy. Often roots at stem nodes. The tiny flowers have five white petals. Seeds are born in two-lobed capsules, each typically containing one seed. Useful for erosion control.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Dichondra repens var. carolinensis

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 102. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DIAR2. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Dichondra+argentea&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=7852&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=30836#null., 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014., 8) https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-dichondra-carolinensis/

Download a 1 page PDF file for this plant, suitable for sharing, printing, and plant sales. Includes an ecoregion map, and a QR code back to this page.

Downloading PDFs only works on desktop browsers

You can favorite this plant and others and maintain a list of your favorite native plants below. You can also unfavorite a plant and clear your list. Click on a plant to go to it.

      No Favorites

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Become a Member

Become an important part of a statewide community with over 4,000 members, who are united in our mission to promote Texas native plants!

Join Us!

Stay Informed

To keep up with what’s new at the Native Plant Society of Texas, subscribe to the state office email list. We won’t share your information with anyone.

Subscribe
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Camera
Member Portal
Chapter Tool Chest
Admin Login

Native Plant Society of Texas is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization This website and all content Copyright © Native Plant Society of Texas. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact the Webmaster.