Family: Molluginaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Hypertelis cerviana (slender carpetweed, threadstem carpetweed) is a small, low-growing herb native to a broad region spanning the Mediterranean area, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Mongolia, and the Indian subcontinent. It typically forms sparse, mat-like patches with thin, delicate stems and tiny leaves, often going unnoticed unless it is flowering or fruiting. In its native range, it is generally associated with dry, open habitats and disturbed soils. It has no significant traditional or commercial uses, but like many small groundcovers, it can persist opportunistically in open, sandy, or heavily disturbed areas.

Risks & Threats
This species is naturalized in Hawai‘i, with records from low, dry areas on Hawai‘i Island, a disturbed site near an abandoned airstrip on O‘ahu, and more recently on Lāna‘i where small populations were found growing in disturbed habitat following construction activity. Hypertelis cerviana possesses traits that are cause for concern, including its ability to establish in disturbed sites and produce reproductive populations under dry, open conditions. While currently localized, its presence in multiple islands suggests it could spread further in similar habitats. If it expands, it could contribute to the gradual displacement of native or beneficial groundcover species and alter fragile tropical island ecosystems. Continued monitoring is recommended, and when possible, selecting low-risk or native groundcover alternatives is encouraged to help protect Hawai‘i’s unique environments.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Capable of growing in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Hawaii, Lanai, and Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, and elsewhere
  
• Garden and disturbance weed
  
• Agricultural and crop weed
  
• Other Mollugo species are invasive weeds
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• An annual herb, capable of reaching reproductive maturity in <1 year
  
• Unassisted seed dispersal, although small size may enable seeds to spread through a number of vectors

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Provides fodder for livestock
  
• Edible to humans
  
• Not reported to spread vegetatively