Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra
Description and Natural Distribution
Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra, is a diffuse prostrate
herb, which roots at the nodes closely related to the common Chickweed Stellaria
media in the pink carnation family Caryophyllaceae, which is native to moist
habitats in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa.
See the natural distribution of Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra here on the SANBI website
http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=3966-1
Invasive weed
Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra is known as one of the most aggressive weeds of the tropical and subtropical parts of the world which has been introduced to many places in the tropics and subtropics, including the southeast US, the Caribbean, the Indian Subcontinent, southern China, Japan, and a number of islands.
Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra was not a problem plant in the Durban area until recently. This situation changed a few
years ago, I first saw it invading lawns and flower beds at Westbrook Beach, on the KwaZulu Natal north coast, a
year later it became a problem at Mount Moreland both north of Durban. It is
now becoming a serious pest plant invading lawns and flowerbeds in the central and greater Durban area.
The rapid invasion of Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra is aided by the production of vast numbers of sticky seedpods that stick to shoes, clothing, pets, birds, lawn mowers and edging machines belonging to garden service companies.
Important medicinal plant
Apart from being a highly invasive weed Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra is one of the most
important medicinal plants used by various tribes throughout India and the
world. It is a traditional herbal medication that is used to treat peptic
ulcers, female sterility, headaches, glomerulonephritis, sleeping problems,
convulsions, and febrile illnesses in children as an ingredient in many local
poly herbal formulations, as well as other major or minor ailments such as
cold, headache, coryza, bronchitis, leprosy, tumors, and so on. Drymaria
cordata subspecies diandra has been shown to contain a variety of secondary
plant metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols,
and terpenoids which have been proved to show Anti-bacterial, analgesic and
anti-pyretic, anti-tussive, anxiolytic, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, sinusitis
and cytotoxic activities.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667031323000659
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7034175/
https://www.eattheweeds.com/drymaria-cordata-kissing-cousin-chickweed-2/
Control
Drymaria cordata subspecies diandra can be controlled in
lawns by the application of a selective herbicide formulated for use on lawns.
Make sure to follow closely the instructions on the label.
In flower beds it needs to be hand weeded.
HLEM specializes in weed control
Written by Michael Hickman on 20.11.2023
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