dichondra

[ dahy-kon-druh ]

noun

1. any of several prostrate, creeping, tropical vines belonging to the genus Dichondra, of the morning glory family, especially D. micrantha, often used as a grass substitute for lawns.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dichondra¹

< New Latin (1776), equivalent to di- di- ¹ + -chondra (< Greek chóndr(os) grain, granule ( chondrio- ( def ) ) + -a -a ² )

Example Sentences

For a sunny spot, Green’s favorite thrillers are Kimberly queen fern, dwarf Alberta spruce, and sago palm; for fillers, boxwood, dusty miller, pentas, sunPatiens and dipladenia; and for spillers, sweet potato vine, mezoo, dichondra silver falls, dwarf morning glory, fan flower and petunias.

From Washington Times

Sadly, those petunias and Calibrachoa are on the list that should go now, Mr. Schrader said, as is heliotrope, Bacopa, Lantana and Fuchsia — and also that current darling creating a silver waterfall effect cascading over many a pot rim, Dichondra.

From New York Times

Lysimachias, trailing small-leafed tradescantias, dichondra and sweet potato vines are some choices.

From Washington Post

Dichondra, Convolvulaceæ, 368 Stigmas and sometimes styles united into one.

From Project Gutenberg

Adams suggests low-growing ground covers like chamomile and dichondra, which require little water and no mowing at all.

From Time Magazine Archive