Mazus reptans
| creeping mazus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| flowering plant | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Phrymaceae |
| Genus: | Mazus |
| Species: | M. reptans |
| Binomial name | |
| Mazus reptans N.E.Br. | |
Mazus reptans, common name creeping mazus, is a plant in the Phrymaceae (lopseed) family.
The low perennial plant is native to the Himalayas region of Asia.
Description
Mazus reptans is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on creeping and rooting stems.[1] The plant, also known as the Lippenmäulchen in German, is a persevering herbaceous plant with growth heights of under 6 inches (15 cm), and a spread of 6–12 inches (15–30 cm).[1]
The flowers are purple-blue to white, borne in spring and summer.[1] The flower crown is 2-lipped and violet-blue to pink or white, inside with white and yellow spots. The period of bloom reaches from Spring through Summer.[1]
The capsule fruits which contain small seeds are formed.
Cultivation
Mazus reptans is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use as a groundcover in gardens and container gardening.[1] Creeping mazus can quickly form a dense ground-hugging carpet of bright green foliage, with showy seasonal flowers.[1] It's fingernail sized lance-shaped toothed leaves typically remain green throughout the growing season, and it is evergreen in hardiness zones 5—8.[1] It spreads quickly due to the stems rooting.
The plant is best grown in moist but well-drained soil, receiving irrigation from 'average' up to 30 centimetres (12 in)/year. It prefers protected full sun to half-shade locations.[1]
Creeping mazus is used in smaller open areas, between stepping stones in paths and patios, a trailing plant in pots, and in flower beds.[1]
It can also be used as a beneficial ground cover for grape vines (Vitis spp.),[2] or the spring foliage of bulbs.
References
- Gordon Cheers (Ed.): "Botanica"; Random House Australia; 2003. German issue: Tandem publishing company Ltd in 2003, ISBN 3-8331-1600-5.
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