Matchweed or Mat Lippia (Phyla nodiflora)

Matchweed or Mat Lippia (Phyla nodiflora)

Matchweed, also called mat lippia, is a mat-forming perennial with opposing leaves on hairy branching stems. Leaves have small teeth at the outer tip. The purple to white flowers emerge around the tip of the seed stalk forming a match-head appearance. Matchweed spreads by both seeds and stolons along prostrate stems. Matchweed occurs from the transition zone to the Southern coastal areas and beyond, including Hawaii, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Structure: Prostrate with long, creeping stems

Life Cycle: Perennial

What To Look For: Flower buds resemble head of kitchen match; stems are long and wiry

Growth Period: Spring and summer