Bloomipedia
Shrubby false buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata)
Photo: Brighton Lee via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Shrubby false buttonweed

Spermacoce verticillata

Shrubby false buttonweed (Spermacoce verticillata) is a low shrub in the Rubiaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly February–December across the U.S.

Not native to Florida

Shrubby false buttonweed is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Florida it's most often seen in bloom in February–December.

2states where USDA records it
7,372FL sightings*
7,382U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Florida

Quick look

Spermacoce verticillata, the shrubby false buttonweed, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae.

  • It belongs to the Rubiaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as not native to Florida. NatureServe
  • In Florida, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–December. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 7,372 research-grade sightings of it in Florida, ranking #13 among the 151 flowers on our Florida list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Florida, most flowering sightings come in February–December.

Flowering records by month in Florida (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (321 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Florida
Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Florida. FAC 5B-40.0055
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records shrubby false buttonweed in 2 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Florida, Texas.

Florida counties with USDA records: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Collier, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Putnam, St. Johns.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Lower 48 states: Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced; U.S. Virgin Islands: Introduced.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Borreria verticillata.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 13 counties across 1 states; the most are in Florida (13).

More from the Rubiaceae family (18 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Partridgeberry, Buttonbush, Azure bluet, Field madder, Largeflower Mexican clover, Buttonweed, Tiny bluet, Shiny-leaved wild coffee.

More Florida flowers

Largeflower Mexican clover (Richardia grandiflora)

Largeflower Mexican clover

Richardia grandiflora

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in FL: November–December
Shiny-leaved wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa)

Shiny-leaved wild coffee

Psychotria nervosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in FL: March–June
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Native

🌼 Blooms in FL: April–July

Sources