Mazus reptans

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Lamiids
Ordo: Lamiales

Familia: Mazaceae
Genus: Mazus
Species: Mazus reptans
Name

Mazus reptans N.E.Br.
References

Botanical Magazine; or, Flower-Garden Displayed ... London 140: t. 8554. 1914
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Mazus reptans in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Mazus reptans, common name creeping mazus, is a low-growing perennial plant native to the Himalayas region of Asia.
Description

Mazus reptans is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on creeping and rooting stems.[1] It grows less than 15 centimetres (6 in), with a spread of 15–30 centimetres (6–12 in).[1]

The purple-blue to white flowers are 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 lasts from Spring through Summer.[1]

The capsule fruits contain small seeds.
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) per 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.

Mazus reptans.jpg
Mazus flowers closeup 8501.JPG

References

Fine Gardening magazine: Plant Guide for Mazus reptans . accessed 7.4.2012.

Pollock, Candace (February 6, 2003). "Some Ground Covers May Benefit Grape Production". OSU Communications. Retrieved June 3, 2012.

Gordon Cheers (Ed.): "Botanica"; Random House Australia; 2003. German issue: Tandem publishing company Ltd in 2003, ISBN 3-8331-1600-5.