About Modiola caroliniana (L.) G.Don
The genus Modiola is a monotypic plant group in the mallow family, containing only the single species Modiola caroliniana (L.) G.Don. This species has several common names: bristly-fruited mallow, Carolina bristlemallow, babosilla, and redflower mallow. It is a creeping perennial species. It is probably native to South America, but is now widely naturalized across tropical and warmer temperate regions worldwide. Carolina bristlemallow is a grassland weed. It commonly grows in gardens, lawns, and moist habitats such as the shores of ponds and reservoirs. This plant can propagate vegetatively by rooting at its nodes. In Australia, seeds of this species have been reported to germinate from the scats of introduced deer, but not from the scats of native kangaroos. It has demonstrated resistance to the herbicide clopyralid. Carolina bristlemallow can be infected by the rust fungus Puccinia modiolae and the chytrid fungus Synchytrium modioliensis.
