Looks like wedelia to me. A cute groundcover that can grow 6' tall easily! Invasive, but easy to pull up. I like it as a fence cover, but it has taken over my bog and a Banana patch.

On the good side, it needs no care, isn't smelly, has no thorns, looks nice when mowed, and has cute flowers.

On the bad side:
You will never get rid of it once it has established itself.

Lisa

You have Wedelia( also known as Weedelia). I'm sure it is very happy in the ground because it will take over your yard. I had some growing under my Pine Tree and ended up pulling it out because it was so invasive.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wedelia

I think I'd take it out and put it in a pot if I liked it a lot. It is on the invasive list but not as bad as something like kudzu or air potato.

I also have this beautiful exotic ground cover!
I was warned,did I listen? noo, I was stubborn. Even a hair of roots will grow. I do not use any herbicide on anything. After pulling and pulling this weeds it leaves a dark stain in my hands that is hard to get rid of. You only give this to people you dislike........Just kidding.......not.LOL

Felix

I have a patch of it.. I just mow, and walk on it to control where I dont want it. It spreads but - It doesnt spread lightning fast. Looks bad with dead leaves on a fence though during that time of year it dies a bit.

It figures. The one plant that I had that I didn't have a name on and I plant it. I am just too impulsive! But it is in a place completely surrounded by concrete and subject to the blazing sun from about noon until sunset so I am not sure what else might grow there. There is a rectangle (about 2 feet by 7 feet) between our garage, driveway and porch. In retrospect, I maybe should have paved it, too but was avoiding extra concrete.

If I pull it, what would be a good alternative? This space is going to be tough.

That's wedelia alright! I have this planted under some oaks in my backyard and love the fact that it is invasive :) I have had it there for 20 years! I just keep it trimmed and edged and it's great for that area where the roots won't let anything else grow. If you have an area that will contain it, it is probably perfect for you. You can mow or weed eat if it gets too high. Right now the yellow flowers are making it pretty. In the winter it dies back which makes it easier to control. k

If you have it in an area surrounded by concrete you should be okay. Just make sure that any clippings you take off it are either burned or thrown in the trash can. Never put it in your compost pile! It doesn't seed that I know of.

Kara

This just may be a case where zone makes a difference. your in zone 9 a. I am in 10 and wouldn`t dare plant it . you might have enough winter die back / slow down.

Do butterflies like it?? I'm in need of a ground cover (for the lawn...since grass won't grow!) rrrrgrassshouldbeoutlawedanyway! especially under the oak tree and near the pool.....that chlorine splash is tough on plants!!!!

I haven't seen the butterflies around it yet. I have decided to keep it since it is surrounded by concrete and we do get some winter cold here. Thanks to everyone for your advice (especially to Felix, I won't pass on any, even to my enemies!)

M

Beth7happy, I don't know about butterflies but I know it grows well under oak trees or in full sun. Wedelia can be a wonderful replacement for grass but it also is quick to get out of control. My parents planted it under a large oak at the end of an azalea bed and for a few years it was fine. But the bed was supposed to be a minimum upkeep bed so my parents didn't go over there much. Now the wedelia is taking over the azaleas and even climbing them. I personlly wouldn't advise planting it anywhere that it is not completely contained by concrete.