Scientific Name: Dichondra repens

Common Name: kidneyweed

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Convolvulaceae

Form Description: Slender-stemmed perennial herb with prostrate, kidney shaped leaves 3cm wide, smooth or slightly hairy.

Flowers: Solitary flowers develop in leaf axils, small, greenish and inconspicuous.

Fruit: Capsule usually contains a single seed.

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Alpine and Sub-alpine VegetationCoastal VegetationGrassland
Habitat Notes

Coastal sand and cliffs to alpine and sub-alpine grassland.

General Notes

Can be invasive in garden beds, and may make a suitable substitute for lawn if positioned in full sun and provided with ample water. Plant at 30cm intervals. Frog habitat.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Division

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Can be grown from seed, although seed collection is tedious with only 1 seed per capsule.

Seed Treatment Method

Hot Water Hot water is used to soften the hard seed case of some species. This replicates the weathering process. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the seeds and allow them to soak for 4-12 hours.

Seed Treatment Notes

Seed has a hard coat. Treatment with hot water at 60°C for 30 minutes provides good results.

Cutting & Division Information

Usually propagated by division – roots at nodes and spreads vigorously.