Creeping-Oxeye

Scientific name: Sphagneticola trilobata

POWO Status: Subshrub

IUCN Red List threat level: Not evaluated

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 57.87″ N, 64° 49′ 44.90″ W

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Observations:

Phenological Markers – Sphagneticola trilobata

Common Name: Creeping Oxeye, Singapore Daisy, Wedelia
Scientific Name: Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski
Family: Asteraceae

Leaf Phenology

  • Leaf Type: Simple, opposite, bright green, usually 3-lobed but can vary
  • Growth Habit: Low, fast-growing mat-forming groundcover with trailing stems that root at nodes
  • Evergreen: Yes — retains foliage year-round in tropical climates
  • Leaf Flush: Continuous growth with new leaves emerging from creeping stems
  • Senescence: Individual leaves age and drop, especially under shading or competition, but overall cover remains persistent

Flowering

  • Inflorescence: Bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads borne singly on short stalks
  • Blooming Period: Year-round in warm, moist climates, with peaks during the rainy season or after trimming
  • Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and flies
  • Phenological Indicator: Open yellow flowers at or above foliage level, often abundant in well-lit areas

Fruiting

  • Fruit Type: Dry, one-seeded achene with reduced or absent pappus
  • Fruit Development: Limited — the plant often reproduces vegetatively, and viable seed production is rare, especially outside its native range
  • Dispersal: Primarily vegetative; spreads rapidly via creeping stems that root at nodes
  • Phenological Indicator: Visible flower heads often dry in place; fruits are not usually a reliable phenological marker

Suggested Photo Angles

  • Ground-level view showing mat-forming habit
  • Close-up of flower head (side and top views)
  • Close-up of 3-lobed leaf shape and opposite arrangement
  • Flowering patch in habitat context (sun vs shade)
  • Rooting nodes on trailing stems (if relevant)

Notes for Monitoring

  • Sphagneticola trilobata is highly invasive in many tropical and subtropical areas, including parts of the Caribbean
  • It is often used as ornamental groundcover but can outcompete native species, particularly in disturbed areas
  • Monitoring should focus on flowering intensity and vegetative spread, especially where control or ecological impact is of concern
  • Regular mowing or pruning can stimulate blooming, useful for studying flowering response
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