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Erect Spiderling

Boerhavia erecta

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in sandy fields, roadsides, disturbed areas, railroad yards. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 71%

Height
Up to about 4 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to moist

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Bloom
May to October

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 7 Arkansas counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Boerhavia

  • Disclisioprocta stellataSomber Carpet, Bougainvillea Looper
  • Euptoieta claudiaVariegated Fritillary, (?)Gulf Fritillary
  • Hyles lineataWhite-Lined Sphinx
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
  • Spoladea recurvalisHawaiian Beet Webworm
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Boerhavia

  • Callipepla gambeliiGambel's Quail
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Nyctaginaceae
Flower color
White

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Boerhaavia erecta

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNR
Global rankG5
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources