Mexican Clover (Richardia brasiliensis)
© Harry Rose
Introduced, warm-season, annual or short-lived perennial, prostrate herb covered in stiff hairs. Stems are mostly more than 15 cm long. Leaves are opposite, hairy, elliptical to ovate, 0.5-5 cm long and 0.8-2.8 cm wide. Flowerheads are heads of 20 (or more) small (3-8 mm long) white flowers, mostly with 6 petals and 6 sepals (can be 5-7). Flowering is from late winter to autumn. A native of South America, it is a weed of disturbed places, such as river flats, stockyards and roadsides. An indicator of disturbance and poor ground cover. Of little importance to livestock grazing, as it usually occurs in low abundance, is very low growing and produces little bulk. Control is not required; abundance is suppressed with healthy vigorous pastures.
Photo taken on 10 Jan 2005