
Perennial
from a large taproot with many, long, extensively branched runners which
root at nodes. Leaves with three leaflets; leaflets quite variable as
to size, elliptic, pointed at tip, rounded at base, hairy. Stems ascending
to erect, hairy. Flowers pink to rose. Fruit with six to eight rounded
segments, which are straight across the back when hooked together. Segments
break apart easily when ripe and attach to clothing or hair. Reproduces
by seed, stolons and broken taproots. Occurs in turf, open woods and
disturbed areas. Found throughout Florida and in southern Texas. Also
found in the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America, Galapagos
Islands and Tropical Africa.