White Flower Snake-Tongue Grass
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(Scleromitrion diffusum)
White Flower Snake-Tongue Grass (Scleromitrion diffusum)
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Cheng-Tao Lin
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Cheng-Tao Lin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Cheng-Tao Lin | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Cheng-Tao Lin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-09-04T13:32:24-07:00 |
Summary
Scleromitrion diffusum, commonly known as white flower snake-tongue grass, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to moist, open habitats such as grasslands, forest margins, and along streams in tropical and subtropical Asia. It is recognized as Scleromitrion diffusum by Plants of the World Online, despite some confusion over its scientific naming. This species typically forms low-growing mats with small, lanceolate leaves and produces tiny, white, tubular flowers that bloom throughout the year in its native climate, though they are not particularly showy.
White flower snake-tongue grass is valued for its medicinal properties and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often dried and used to make hot drinks like lohoguo pearl and sheshecao beverage, which are believed to have health benefits. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist soil and can thrive in full sun to part shade conditions. While not commonly grown for ornamental purposes, it can serve as a ground cover in tropical garden settings. Gardeners should be aware that it may require regular watering during dry periods and can spread readily in suitable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
White flower snake-tongue grass is valued for its medicinal properties and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often dried and used to make hot drinks like lohoguo pearl and sheshecao beverage, which are believed to have health benefits. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist soil and can thrive in full sun to part shade conditions. While not commonly grown for ornamental purposes, it can serve as a ground cover in tropical garden settings. Gardeners should be aware that it may require regular watering during dry periods and can spread readily in suitable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.5-1 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Moist, open habitats such as grasslands, forest margins, and along streams in tropical and subtropical Asia
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: Scleromitrion diffusum, Hedyotis brachypoda, Hedyotis brachypoda, Hedyotis diffusa, Hedyotis diffusa var. longipes, Hedyotis extensa, Hedyotis extensa, Hedyotis polygonoides, Hedyotis radicans
GBIF Accepted Name: Scleromitrion diffusum