Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

Found this one a couple of months back, and have had it in a pot since then. Originally this was a cultivated plant, grown for some reason at the Botany greenhouses on campus where I work at UT. My professor, the greenhouse boss guy, can't remember what it is or why he had it though. One thing is certain, it is HIGHLY invasive! I pull this out of almost every pot, crack, and crevice in one of the greenhouses. It is probably an Acanth, maybe a Ruellia. Any ideas? The "regular" form is dark green, purplish backsides to the leaves, and a creeping, prostrate stem. The flowers are very small and a very light pink color, only blooming in the morning.

Re: Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

Frank,

I'd venture a couple of guesses. It could be a ruellia. I have one that is pretty prostrate/creeping, purple flowers that only open in the morning, but it looks quite different from this, not even taking the variegation into consideration. My second guess would be Ajuga, though I don't really think that's what it is either. I have seen variegated forms of Ajuga, but I thought they normally bloomed bluish-purple. Are you going to keep it and see what it does? Hopefully it you won't find it spreading all over your yard in a few weeks!

Re: Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

Brent, it's not Ajuga, but the foliage is similarly colored. The flowers are completely different though. I do plan to keep it for awhile and see how it does, despite being an extremely invasive plant. I think (hope) that it won't survive in my zone over the winter, if any seedlings pop up in the yard soon. This latest heat spell has done a number on it, but I probably had it in too much sun (those pics are old). Thanks!

Frank

Re: Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

Almost looks like a verigated spinach vine.. But I don't think there flowers are pink..
Kylie

Re: Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

Frank, could it be a Hemigraphis specie. It looks very much like
hemigraphis 'colorata' from wich I have submerse plants in my
aquarium.

Ron

Re: Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

Ron, I think that's it!! The flowers and inflorescences are identical. Thanks a bunch! Now I can actually name the thing. Hemigraphis sp. 'Variegata'?

Re: Another variegated weed. What is it?
 

I would call it Hemigraphis sp. 'Bigdog'

Cheers

Ron