Can anyone identify this small creeping plant ?

hogue

This plant has appeared in my lawn and has spread rapidly. I am curious as to what it might be.
The plant is small creeping plant and the stems are almost translucent. The leaves are very small, almost circular in outline (about 5mm diameter) and hairless. I have not seen any flowers on it.
Thanks

Silver surfer · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:21 pm Post subject:

Welcome hogue,

Not positive, but it looks like Lysimachia nummularia.
Difficult to tell from your pic. Are the leaves opposite each other on the stalk. See link...

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowopp/Lysimachia_nummularia_leaves.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowopp/Lysimachia_nummularia_page.html&h=450&w=384&sz=21&tbnid=sEg15ZRRF3kHhM:&tbnh=66&tbnw=56&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlysimachia%2Bnummularia%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=lysimachia+nummularia&docid=AUWML6QURRNtbM&sa=X&ei=JZBXTvmNLITLhAeQ7sUi&ved=0CEYQ9QEwAw&dur=78

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lysimachia+nummularia&rls=p,com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1272&bih=501

hogue · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 2:46 pm Post subject: Thanks

Thanks Silver Surfer,
Thanks for your help. In many ways it looks like Lysimachia numullaria but I have had another look at the "little beast" and it seems like the leaves are not opposite.

However, in the small sample that I have retained (the lawn has been dug at this stage) leaves may have broken off, withered, etc. See the attached picture - it looks like the leaves are alternate and branches seem to emerge from the the axils of the leaves.

I have been unable to observe the "wings" on the stem that are described in the Missouri website that you referred me to.

Silver surfer · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject:

Clearly not opposite leaves so that rules our Lysimachia.

How about Soleirolia soleirolii.?Common name mind your own business!

Compare link to a fresh specimen.

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/myob.htm

7 very good macro pics on 2nd link. However, it appears to have hairy stems which I am not seeing on your pics. So could be wrong again!

http://www.floralimages.co.uk/page.php?taxon=soleirolia_soleirolii,5&ad=2

P.S. Just had another good look at your 2nd pic. There are small hairs on the stem behind the leaf !
No wonder you haven't seen any flowers ! They are miniscule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soleirolia_soleirolii

hogue · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 9:33 am Post subject: Thanks again Silver Surfer

Thanks again - you are spot on. The description and pictures of Soleirolia are an exact fit for what I have seen on the ground. I am certain that your ID is correct.
I am putting you in my address book as the "Go-to-man". I have no doubt that I will be back to you again (and again !!)

kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Thanks again Silver Surfer

hogue · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject: Apologies

Thanks for correcting me Kindredspirit.

My apologies to all concerned - I didnt have my little brain in gear before I opened my big mouth and voiced an unjustified assumption.

I should, of course, have said that I am putting Silver Surfer in my address book as the "Go-to-person".

Silver surfer · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:42 pm Post subject:

No need for apology!
No offence taken.

I shall be proud as punch to be your "Go to person!"
Cheers
SS