Question: I found this plant growing few feet sprawling along the ground, matlike (in a moist spot - either naturally moist …
-
Question
I found this plant growing few feet sprawling along the ground, matlike (in a moist spot - either naturally moist because it's at a plateau or from recent snow melt) from a public pond in Storrs, CT. An identification app claims it's water hyssop or Bacopa monnieri (or is it veronia peregrina ssp peregrina; its glabrous (simlar to purslne)?. I was inclined to think this was mouse-ear chickweed (or just plain old chickweed), but hairs are noticeably absent and the petioles on this are different.
Answer
Dear teenprogrammer, good morning. You have collected a member of the Caryophyllaceae (carnation family), as evidenced by the leaf arrangement, slightly swollen nodes, and subtly joined leaf bases. However, with just the vegetation, I can't tell you for certain which species you have collected. Chickweed does belong to this family, but I think flowers would be useful. Sorry I can't help you further.
