Is this Carolina Ponysfoot and should I be concerned? - Ask Extension
We have a patch of what appears to be Carolina Ponysfoot coming up through our mulched bed. We are in SE Michigan, and this plant is located in a bed ...
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Is this Carolina Ponysfoot and should I be concerned? #868264
Asked May 13, 2024, 5:00 PM EDT
We have a patch of what appears to be Carolina Ponysfoot coming up through our mulched bed. We are in SE Michigan, and this plant is located in a bed filled with woodchips, and has a north american elderberry planted in it. We have never seen this plant before in our yard. We were wondering if it's the correct ID/a potential invasive issue, as I could find very little information about its existence in Michigan. Our thought is potentially it was in a bag of compost from a hardware store we put down when we planted the elderberry. Should we work on removing this plant? We're trying to make our garden into native habitat, and my concern is that whilst native to the US, this plant isn't native to Michigan. Thanks!
Wayne County Michigan
Expert Response
I believe these are seedlings of rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), they are pretty common if you have one of those shrubs around (or your neighbor does).
Caroline ponyfoot (Dichondra carolinensis) is not found in Michigan.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Caroline ponyfoot (Dichondra carolinensis) is not found in Michigan.
Please let me know if you have any questions.