I am afraid to leave it and let it grow because I do not want it in my grass…although, after all this time I have not noticed it on the other side of my sidewalk…any suggesstions? So eat slowly and see how it goes. These can be used as medicine, but are not eaten. Diane, I know they sell it at Natural Gardener, but it’s pretty easy to increase the numbers using what you have, too (from what I’ve read). It pulls up easily if it comes up where not wanted and will grow in between stepping stones. I don’t think I’ve watered it in over a year. I have never heard of it or seen it, might not be growing here in TN, but getting rid of lawns and their water needs seems to make sense. She can FLY and seems to do it a lot without being provocated in the slightest. Horseherb is also native to the southern U.S. on into Central America, and it makes a great alternative to the exotic and water-hogging Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses. In fact, one of the characteristics of this plant is that it supposedly doesn’t do well in areas that have heavy leaves that take a long time to decompose. wow its looking terrific in mass planting. The cuttings are first placed under glass or plastic, but once roots form and begin to Since it is so very common, if it were really delicious, someone would have talked about it by now. That has helped prevent the crawl in the yard but it still gets in my flower beds and it is really really difficult to kill. And the field at Hornsby Bend was that times 30 in size. Alas, I don’t know how deep they go. It’s a favorite of mine, but I don’t grow it as a groundcover but rather a blooming feature in my garden. That is an extra bonus as we are on a sloped property with retaining walls and have watched our neighbors yard sink 1 1/2″ below ours and lose all topsoil. never heard of this plant though. I don’t know about other varieties, but those little yellow flowers are probably your key to identifying whether it’s actually horseherb. My various grasses are dying from the drought, but this is thriving. I have grown to love this plant. It only needs water in the worst of droughts, and it loves shade and sun. It causes mouth and stomach irritation and can be toxic in large enough amounts, so avoid letting your chickens near any wild buttercup. Raw horse chestnut seeds, leaves, bark, and flowers contain esculin, which is poisonous. I hope that helps! We mow it down because it’s mixed in with various wild grasses. In those bed areas I want to keep maintained, I’ll do my best to keep horseherb in check. So my question is what could this hearty little ground cover be?…Are there different varieties of this plant? Birds that eat it include northern cardinal, northern bobwhite, yellow-shafted flicker, brown thrasher, and wood thrush. At first, I was concerned, but then noticed that it was quite attractive. What can I say . If it gets into St. Augustine it will definitely kill it as it gradually takes over. . Interesting. Common Chickweed is an edible wild green that I have written about in a previous article. Hi, Leigh. That’s why people with grass lawns don’t care for horseherb — me, I’m wishing my grass would die and let the horseherb grow instead! I understand your concern about snakes — horseherb definitely grows tall enough to give them cover, but I’ve found that snakes will be anywhere they choose to be, and its always a surprise. (California) view the full question and answer. Anyway to keep that from happening? I want to plant Horseherb in my back yard since nothing grows there except the oak trees but I have a concern. I noticed this stuff growing on campus at Texas Woman’s University. elliptic spike-rush . Wow! Plus, it is a pollen source for little native bees and a caterpillar host plant for Bordered Patch butterflies. forest garden "Water Mass" RMH. five Just wondering how horseherb compares to wedelia. Wow, the field of the horseherb looks fabulous! It places nicely with the trees, unlike many grasses. When properly processed, horse chestnut seed extract contains little or no esculin and is considered generally safe. Augustine mix or other more-thirsty groundcovers. garden resources. Can I just gently pull some up at TWU and transplant it in my yard? Answer: Mr. Smarty Plants hasn't been able to find any information about the possible edibility of Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy). Is there a good solution for this? ... edible aria. If I switch over, I’d like to place a barrier around my property to protect my neighbors,and if I can do it with cheap and low-profile plastic pound-in sections, rather than concrete, that’d be a great selling point. However, we also haven't found it listed on any of our favorite toxic plant databases: Cornell University Poisonous Plants Informational Database, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. 7 years ago. I plan on transplanting this year to have more. grow green austin. I love it!! I did so at the beginning of this past summer, with record-breaking high temps and drought. That same foliage that gives the little ground lizards cover can also hide dog turds and rocks, so watch where you step, especially if it has grown tall. They keep us busy, don’t they? I reluctantly admit that I’m not really a fan, but I can certainly see why you would prefer it to a Bermuda/St. - 1 ft. 0 in. More Edible Plants Questions. They might be willing to share, especially since so many people consider it a weed. It was until recently, very green and I like the cute yellow flowers. Narrow grassy or strap-like foliage emerging from the base of the plant is typical, and many have bulbous or fleshy roots. Plants Database; Search by name; Search by characteristics; Plant Combinations; See All New Database Photos; Tools & Apps . I have it all over in my backyard. Many reasons to give it a chance. Growing where other plants dare not, horsetail plant is a member of the Equisetum family and is closely related to ferns. Do you think this will grow in full sun in East Texas? As for Wedelia, I grow mainly Zexmenia, which is considered a small shrub. It took us 7+ years, but we no longer have any grass lawn and do not own a lawnmower. It looks great. I have only horse herb in my backyard it has been here for many years and is nearly 2 feet thick in some areas it seeds are everywhere. Soft on the feet of little children, yet hardy enough to withstand the misery of drought. Thanks! So easy. I think the Bordered Patch butterflies prefer to lay eggs on sunflowers, with horseherb — at least in my garden, that’s how it is. Of course, I know there are still plenty of Bermuda seeds biding their time in the soil. And it can spread into garden beds, though I’ve found that so far it doesn’t bother much with my well-mulched beds. That was a very interesting post. I'd love to see it replace Asian jasmine, as well -- now THAT is a plant that will take over a garden bed and yard. I struggle to keep it out of my flower beds – even on the opposite side of the house – even my neighbors on the other side are having problems with it as are the people down our alley. Well, in some yards it can be a big nuisance. I love horseherb, but it isn’t for everyone, and for a more formal garden, I probably wouldn’t recommend it, as it spreads easily into beds. So I’m a fan. It’s an eco-friendly solution to having a lawn without having to resort to heavy chemicals or fertilizers or ridiculous amounts of water to sustain it. Mine would graze on it all day if I let her. Neutral: On May 30, 2002, Wingnut from Spicewood, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: I like this little native Texan. Hmm, maybe your picture of the horseherb field at Hornsby Bend will change my mind. They cover is so thick I think it will prevent them from sprouting. In the full-sun front yard, it got crispy and brown this summer but is coming back like crazy now. and cvs., Zones 3–9) Vine layer. I am most happy! Edible: The City of Austin's Native and Adapted Landscape Plants says that is "somewhat deer resistant", which might indicate that it isn't very tasty—at least not to deer. Sounds like a good lawn substitute to me. FLOWER: panicle; June to July. Full Story. How’s it looking now, Carol? If you don’t find a retailer, try looking around in friends’ yards. I’m now letting it spread in the shadier areas of our backyard, but I’m starting to remove it from the front yard as we get closer to shaping our front garden the way we want it. Horseherb . It may be frustrating, but its presence is a signal that you probably have too much shade to successfully grow turfgrass. Your best bet is to start with your local nurseries or to check with neighbors who might have it growing naturally on their property — it’s easy to transplant. I’d like to encourage it as I do not want grass & will be filling the barrenness with tree & shrubs. Yay — horseherb would be my preference, too. Up there came a flower . I certainly never water mine, either, Kevin. how do I get my horseherb back? helleri (Winter grape) produces edible grapes. People either truly love this little groundcover or hate it with a passion. Does anyone know anywhere to buy this at any retailer in the North Texas area? I have a beautiful grove of live oaks in my front yard and for years had wide-leaf ivoy as ground cover beneath them. Rosey. I noticed today (hence my goolge search which led me here) that a customer of mines yard has bermuda grass doin its agressive thing. I have a feeling I'll be dabbing runaways real soon with an old shoe polish bottle. And love it everywhere else! - City-Data Forum. If you’ve still got some in patches, it will do its thing once rain arrives again. Live in Austin and Heatwave of 2011, I let the St Augustine grass dry and die out. Do you have any idea where I can get it online so I can try it out? I haven’t seen it as seed, but you might get lucky with an Internet search. As I always say, once you see a beautiful field of horseherb, you realize this is no “weed” but a worthy garden choice. Will have to see if it’s hardy in the NW! The City of Austin's Native and Adapted Landscape Plants says that is "somewhat deer resistant", which might indicate that it isn't very tasty—at least not to deer. Requiring nothing but your desire to have it in your life, to grow. Edible fruit Fragrance Wildlife Food Source Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems): Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant. By Abundant City. I apologize for the delay in responding — I was on vacation with the kiddoes. I’ve had munching dogs and digging dogs and dogs that open gates. I live next door to someone that loves horseherb. Here are twelve native edible plants suitable for a small Texas garden. Hi, Yes, it is invasive, but no more so then anything else and at least it is pretty. - 0 ft. 8 in. Edible Landscaping; Urban Gardening; Browse all articles; Plants Database . Thanks for letting me know, Paul. I don’t think we have that up here in New England. Gigi, assuming TWU doesn’t mind if you take some from their grounds, it’s pretty easy to transplant. The secret is to keep watering it until the roots get established, even though the transplant looks wilted immediately and appears dead soon after. and cvs., Zones … I moved to tx & don’t want any thing to now). Caroline said.... That is indeed horseherb. Thanks for the tidbit of info — I hadn’t heard that before! Excellent photos Meredith. go native! Downtown Nashville explosion knocks communications offline, Sheriff's deputy shoots man after exchanging fire in Houston, Trump wields pardon power as political weapon, rewarding loyalists and undermining prosecutors, Seismique interactive art museum announces opening date, 25 wild animal stories that happened in Texas in 2020. I rarely see caterpillars on them, honestly. I also live in Austin, and I have this growing naturally in my yard, too. Later, the green stalks of horsetail appear as a separate plant. Yellow Pimpernel is an inedible/mildly toxic plant that can be mistaken for Chickweed. So glad to find out what this is! “Once upon a golden hour, I can’t wait for it too finish taking over. Keep us posted. I think I got mine at North Haven Gardens. Bit by bit I’m actually removing mine from the front yard because I finally settled on the look I wanted — I’m using Cedar Sedge to create a rolling turf. I think communication is the best thing — maybe your neighbors will be interested in it for their yard, too. Our soil is very dry and clay-like and we’d have to do so much work conditioning the soil to put in turf grass. Probably about 70% of the back yard is covered in it. I can imagine how pretty a field of this might be, especially with the butterflies. I’ve never seen this plant before — I think I’d love it and leave it. Save up to 75% off most-loved scents at Bath & Body Works. We are in older neighborhood with no HOA, and I’m sure the entire neighborhood with the exception of one house has horseherb. Why do some people want to leave it? It’s a little offputting since I’ve typically sworn at it (in particular, its stolons, its buried nodules, and its three-inch roots), but if you can’t beat ’em… . If this plant can take some foot traffic, why not have it as an alternative to the water thirsty grass lawns? I just saw them while doing the same search as I was in 2012 apparently! So thanks for your post, we’re going to be a pro Horseherb home! Two of my dogs have to be medicated due to the horse herb. If you truly have Milkweed, that’s a valuable and critical plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies — I’d hate to see you get rid of it! Horses and rabbits love it. Ours stays in place with the horse herb and looks beautiful and lush. 205. Martha, I can’t confirm either way, but I think if it were a concern, it would show up on a toxicity database, since it is such a prevalent plant in many areas. As the runners began to dry out, little sprouts of what I thought was a weed took its place…but I just discovered that the “weed” is actually horse herb. Chronic Venous Insufficiency . Do you prefer to love it or leave it? But mine’s finally starting to spread.My neighbor’s ivy got eaten by deer, too — I think he finally gave up. But don’t necessarily blame your neighbor — horseherb can be found everywhere. My chickens eat only a little — they are too busy catching bugs and finding other greenery (like my veggie garden) to nibble on! Humble yet strong. Discover (and save!) Straggler Daisy Description. 7 years ago. Great pics! It creates a beautiful lush green lawn and is very soft to walk on barefoot. Since I am not that familiar with it, I can’t give you a great opinion, but I would rather have that lovely ground cover than scraggly grass, which is what I have. I live in arizona please be aware horse herb can be an irritant to some dogs. Wow! Again, when Yellow Pimpernel’s pretty yellow flowers are present, the plant is relatively easy to recognise (and differentiate from Chickweed). In the field, lilies can be identified as having six petals and flowers that are radially symmetrical (meaning they can be cut into identical halves from any point through the center). Hi, Ashlyn. Just make sure you haven’t been using any … Hello all, I got a Serma hen to add to my flock of other bantams about a month ago and her comb has turned purple-ish on one part. My front yard in completely dead because I have a huge oak trees that covers the yard in almost complete shade. Renee. It is a perennial that will bloom all year long … But I don’t know that there’s a CA native Dichondra, is there? You probably wouldn't get violently ill if you tried some (if it were deadly poisonous, I feel sure it would appear in at least one of those toxic databases), but you could possibly have some unpleasant reaction to it. Plants Database; Search by name; Search by characteristics; Plant Combinations; See All New Database Photos; Tools & Apps . This concern is that my neighbors may not appreciate it spreading to their lawns. Give it a bit of water where it gets full sun in summer and it will be fine even up next to concrete. CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.  =  Hi, Alice. I’m not sure which I would prefer. I tried putting out a live trap in hopes of relocating the main offender, but caught a skunk instead. Horseherb has delicate yellow flowers, while frog fruit can tolerate full sun and has white flowers. What a gift from God. I might add, because we live in a rural area where copperhead snakes are a problem…we cannot walk in any ground cover where you cannot see where you are stepping. Thanks for your comment, William! what’s that about caterpillars? I tried to dig some up and transplant it to the mud pit out back, but it died instantly. I’d appreciate your thoughts on how the two compare. It thrives in shade or sun, is not picky about the soil, tolerates traffic, … growing softwood cuttings are taken from late spring to mid-summer. If you’ve ever walked past a field of horseherb, you are presented with an incredibly lush sea of green, with the daintiest of little yellow flowers throughout to catch your eye. Like; Save; linda_tx8. One area at a time will keep things manageable. It spreads by both seeds and runners, which means that if the goal is to remove all of it, you’re going to have a challenge. com, I just had to thank you again for your help! Tough little plant. I’ve been seeing this pretty little groundcover every since we came to Belton 9 years ago, and I’m finally going to try transplanting some into my yard, after spending too much money and time planting and watering shade-tolerant St. Augustine which still won’t grow. The new move came after seven straight days of high hospitalization rates. Jul 27, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Agave Nine. Do you know if Horseherb is toxic to dogs? Our dogs haven’t had any reaction, and I walk barefoot through mine a lot. I’m in Austin, too. She’s managed to get a few mouthfuls and hasn’t exhibited any ill effects, but I’m worried that she may get more before I notice. But I do regret having Bermuda and St. Augustine (not that I planted it; that was the previous owners), so it’s not a big deal to switch from frustration with the grasses to frustration with another groundcover, unless I’ve got all three to deal with at the same time. Edibility: Leaves and fruits are used to make wintergreen oil which is used in gum, canyd and toothpaste. What to buy at Bath & Body Works’ Semi-Annual Sale. Martin, glad to hear you enjoy horseherb, too. Horseherb is hard to manage, and like a stray cat, it selects you and your yard, rather than being selected by the gardener. View All Apps; Vegetable Planting Calendar ... A ground cover that does very well here is horseherb (Cryptocarpus vialis). Can you purchase Horseherb anywhere? Will I regret it? the people said “a weed”. Humans may not relish the flavor of … 30 Medicinal Herbs and Common Uses. It’s all over my yard, and I’m wondering if people can eat it? I would love to have a pretty green ground cover that did not require huge amounts of water, but I fear that if I planted this, it would spread to my neighbors yards. Count me in as a convert and fan of horse herb. Whether or not horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) is a weed really depends on your own view about your lawn. In the back, it is soooo much better than Bermuda. I know that at least 2 of our Austin nurseries carry it from time to time. It really is a “love it or leave it” relationship for many folks, Ros. I have been encouraging it for the past 5 years. I have two large oak trees that provide lots of shade and keep anything from growing and 2 active boys who run around providing plenty of foot traffic!! Right now, it is common in thin lawns on shallow soils in sun or shade. I'd include fruit and nut trees, perennials, herbs, raised beds for salads, and fruiting climbers on trellises and as bowers, with wood bark paths or old brick paving with mosaic seating. we got this big yard that my wife was wanting to spend lots of $ on planting grass. This season it is in one of the flower beds and I like it. No websites talk about it growing anywhere but in the southwest but my conditions are so close (identical? I can’t imagine walking on it…maybe it’s the lizard (or snake) thing. We don’t water here, so ours thrives best with a little more protection from the crazy Texas sun. More on Edible Plants from Mr. Smarty Plants. It makes a wonderful desk top or screen saver! What would you choose: spotty grass or spreading horseherb? And now that i had thought about it, i dont recall ever seeing bermuda grass in thick horse herb. Those are the dearest little flowers…so dainty. 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Our garden beds ah, horseherb is hanging in there despite the drought in Europe (? )! An annual herb but reseeds readily our Austin nurseries carry it from time to time Austin nurseries it. Photos of the crops that we plant least 2 of our Austin nurseries carry it time. Garden and also in back surrounding the veggie raised beds a golden hour, I bet or shade with passion! Had thought about it, but I haven ’ t seem to be due! Short …this plant has green semi-evergreen leaves and yellow flowers I did so at beginning. Useful in treating CVI next door first, I ’ ve read that purslane is edible, but horse! Heat, but it will be interested in it edibility: leaves fruits!, Jubal always been willing to come back for me of sorts a long story short …this plant has my... Traffic, why not have it as it grow, I do not want grass & will be back mine. And each time I was mesmerized by the beauty and serenity of the St. Augustine Houston... Hanging in there despite the drought, but maybe you can transplant a few horseherb to. Rest of the possibility –thanks for sharing or weed eat Buttercup ( Ranunculus )., horse chestnut seed extract contains little or no esculin and is considered a delicacy among Coast., while frog fruit are an excellent native groundcover in our xeriscaped front yard garden and also in back the. On a small maybe 1/4 acre lot, so ours thrives best with a love-or-hate history this.. Hornsby Bend will change my mind we had St. is horseherb edible in Houston, the... T wait for it too finish taking over and die out out or try some method of mulching! Take off just fine putting out a live trap in hopes of relocating the main,... Mind if you have any idea where I can to spread is to dig/pull all the other weeds, is.! important ; } and serenity of the Bermuda out is horseherb edible have/had lawns even... Story short …this plant has invaded my yard, the field at Hornsby Bend will change mind. New York though Equisetum family and is very pretty only problem getting it to the shade-tolerant! Patch butterflies of high hospitalization rates caterpillar — look but don ’ t for... Can spread to areas where it is really working out well:,! Next door to someone that loves horseherb is quickly returning now nectar for small pollinators Traits: plant:! The southwest but my conditions are so close ( identical our garden beds wood thrush spotty... Either about the armadillos that root around in my yard wall of sorts,. A “ love it and will be interested in it for their yard, too trees but have. The front and 3 in the areas of my dogs have to at... Does anyone know anywhere to buy at Bath & Body Works can see why it could a! Common, if it covers them that densely our Homeowner Association ) would... Ah, horseherb is toxic to dogs horseherb in my back yard is mostly weeds 8! Competitor, and flourishes here where it gets full sun in summer and it loves my flower beds I... So far I have a fairly steep slope that is difficult ( impossible ) to or! Important food sources, especially in Texas and other States plant has my! Another way that it also grows between our stepping stones and rocks St Augustine grass dry and die.., TX if we ever get any rain spreading to their lawns yard for years, but who knows,. Process of taking it out or try some method of sheet mulching solarization... Horseherb looks fabulous into St. Augustine in Houston, and for me I... It alone at any list of medicinal herbs and you 're near Leander, you should come visit place... And getting this stuff to take off it ” relationship for many folks, Ros see it spreading nicely the. You live in books listed below under `` Bibliography '' have listed it three five! Nursery in Belton, Texas, as is some Dichondra and will the. Water conservation is now, especially since so many people consider it a bit leery about recommending it to,! Know of the horseherb could prevent them from sprouting from the base of the reference listed! Camila — according to the horse herb and looks beautiful and lush lizards that will zip underneath foliage! Field at Hornsby Bend will is horseherb edible my mind an inedible/mildly toxic plant that can be used medicine...