Spermacoce or false buttonweed[2] is a genus of flowering plants in the familyRubiaceae. It comprises about 275 species found throughout the tropics and subtropics.[3] Its highest diversity is found in the Americas, followed by Africa, Australia and Asia. It can be used for the treatment of eczema by rubbing the leaves on the affected part.
Description
The species are herbs or small shrubs with small- to medium-sized, four-lobed flowers arranged in capitate inflorescences. Some have a brightly coloured calyx and are eye-catching, particularly the Australian species. The corolla is variable in colour, often white, but also all shades of blue, pink and maroon. The fruit is usually a two-seeded capsule, sometimes a schizocarp or nut.[4]
Spermacoce is a highly diverse genus with over 290 species in many tropical and subtropical places around the globe.[3] North American species include:[5][6]
Spermacoce brachysepala (Urb.) Alain in H.A.Liogier & L.F.Martorell - West Indian false buttonweed - Puerto Rico, Haiti, Dominican Republic
Spermacoce capitata Ruiz & Pav. - baldhead false buttonweed - Central and South America from Belize to Argentina
Spermacoce confusa Rendle - river false buttonweed - Florida, West Indies, Latin America from Mexico to Argentina
Spermacoce densiflora (DC.) Alain - bouquet false buttonweed - Florida, West Indies, Latin America from Mexico to Argentina
Spermacoce eryngioides (Cham. & Schltdl.) Kuntze - whorled-leaf false buttonweed - West Indies including Puerto Rico; southeastern South America from Bolivia and Brazil to Argentina
Spermacoce exilis (L.O. Williams) C. Adams - Pacific false buttonweed - Latin America from Mexico to Argentina, plus West Indies; naturalized in Africa, China, India, southeast Asia and some tropical oceanic islands
Spermacoce ovalifolia (M. Martens & Galeotti) Hemsl. - broadleaf false buttonweed - West Indies including Puerto Rico, Latin America from Mexico to Paraguay
Spermacoce prostrata Aubl. - prostrate false buttonweed - Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, West Indies including Puerto Rico; most of Latin America; naturalized in China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Java
Spermacoce remota - Lam. - woodland false buttonweed - Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, West Indies, much of Latin America; naturalized in Southeast Asia, China, India, New Guinea, Mauritius and many oceanic islands (including Hawaii)
Spermacoce tetraquetra A. Rich. - pineland false buttonweed - Florida, West Indies, Mexico, Central America
Spermacoce verticillata L. - shrubby false buttonweed - Florida, West Indies, most of Latin America; naturalized in Africa, Australia, assorted oceanic islands
References
^"Spermacoce L."Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
^Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera. 2012. Rubiaceae a Verbenaceae. 4(2): i–xvi, 1–533. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez, S. Knapp & F. Chiang Cabrera (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
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