Poor Joe

Member of Madder Family
Blooms: May - November

This dainty little plant is all over our yard. It is considered a weed, but is pretty just the same. Its tiny pink blooms are only about 1/4" across or smaller. Its leaves are pretty too. It is sprawling and low growing.

Poor Joe grows in poor soils, mostly sandy and can be found in most parts of Texas.

Its name comes from the Latin word "ruber", meaning red, which is taken from a European variety that's roots yeild a red dye. Another common name is Rough Buttonweed. The Madder family gives it its relatives, the tiny Bluets that bloom at the first sign of spring and are even a relative of the garden type Gardenia.

"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed for he giveth of his bread to the poor."

Proverbs 22:9