Modiola

Modiola is a monotypic genus of plants in the mallow family containing the single species Modiola caroliniana, which is known by several common names including bristly-fruited mallow,^[3] Carolina bristlemallow,^[2] babosilla, and redflower mallow. It is a creeping perennial which is probably native to South America but which is widely naturalized throughout the tropical and warmer temperate world.

Modiola
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Malvaceae
Subfamily:	Malvoideae
Tribe:	Malveae
Genus:	Modiola Moench[1]
Species:	M. caroliniana
Binomial name
Modiola caroliniana (L.) G.Don[2]

Ecology

Carolina bristlemallow is a grassland weed,^[4] commonly occurring in gardens and lawns^[5] and in moist habitats such as shores of ponds and reserviors.^[6] It can propagate vegetatively by rooting at the nodes,^[7] and in Australia, seeds have been reported to germinate from the scats of introduced deer but not those of native kangaroos.^[8] It has shown resistance to the herbicide clopyralid^[9].
    Carolina bristlemallow is infected by the rust fungus Puccinia modiolae^[10] and the chytrid fungus Synchytrium modioliensis.^[11]