Growing
- Forest layer: Herbaceous groundcover.
- Growth habit & lifespan: Perennial, low and spreading via stolons.
- Size: 5-15cm.
- Site preference: Full sun to part shade, moist fertile soil preferred, tolerates mowing well.
- Water needs / drought tolerance: Moderate.
- Fruiting / flowering season: White, sometimes pale-pink, flower globes, blooming through much of the year in a mild climate.
- Propagation: Seed and stolon spread.
- Harvesting technique: Flowers and leaves are mildly edible (historically used in salads), though it's grown here mainly for its soil-building function rather than as a food crop.
Permaculture Function
- Permaculture functions: Nitrogen fixation, living mulch, genuine soil-building groundcover.
- Wildlife value: Major bee forage plant, strong pollinator support generally.
- Edibility / medicinal use: Mildly edible, secondary to its functional role here.
- Companion notes: Excellent living mulch under fruit trees and through orchard alleys — a natural groundcover layer for any guild planting. See Fruit Tree Guild.
Safety & Control
- Toxicity: Not toxic at garden density; large quantities can cause bloat in grazing ruminants, a known pasture-management consideration but not relevant at lawn/garden scale.
- Control method: Not applicable — retain and encourage.