Coastal plain creepingoxeye

Coastal plain creepingoxeye (Wedelia fruticosa) is a sprawling perennial herb in the family Asteraceae, distributed across coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, and the northern coast of South America. It grows on sandy beaches, coastal dunes, rocky shores, and the margins of mangrove forests, where it forms dense, mat-like colonies that help stabilise loose substrate. The plant produces bright yellow daisy-like flowerheads year-round in tropical climates, with ray florets surrounding a central disc. Stems root readily at nodes where they contact the ground, enabling rapid vegetative spread. The genus Wedelia is known for its tolerance of salt spray, drought, and low-nutrient soils. Coastal plain creepingoxeye is sometimes used in traditional medicine across its range for its anti-inflammatory properties. It may occasionally act as an early coloniser following storm disturbance on beaches, contributing to pioneer vegetation communities. Its IUCN conservation status is Not Evaluated, though its broad distribution and reproductive vigour suggest population stability. In some regions it is regarded as a coastal landscaping plant.