Azorella trifurcata

Azorella trifurcata is an evergreen plant in the Apiaceae family. Its common name is three-forked emerald carpet. It comes from Chile and western and southern Argentina. Kew classes it as a subshrub from temperate regions. The RHS describes it as a mat-forming perennial. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

In gardens, it forms a low cover of small rosettes. These overlap to make a dense mat of foliage. The dark green leaves feel firm and have deep cuts. They stay on the plant through the year. Garden height and spread range from 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants reach their full size in two to five years. Small yellow flowers grow in clusters in spring or summer. The leaves provide ground cover beyond the brief flower season.

In the wild, it grows on coastal sand and gravel. It also occurs beside streams and along forest edges. Dry heath is another habitat within its native range. Records place it in Tierra del Fuego and farther north. There, it reaches about 656 feet [200 metres] above sea level. These sites include both dry ground and stream margins. In gardens, the RHS calls for gritty soil that drains well. Give it full sun, with a south-facing or west-facing site. It can grow in exposed places or sheltered spots. Loam, sand and chalk all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soils. The RHS rates its winter hardiness as H6. This covers minimum temperatures from −20 to −15°C. It also lists the plant as drought resistant.

Its low mat helps keep weeds from gaining space. Use it as ground cover in rock or gravel gardens. Scree beds also suit its need for sharp drainage. The RHS lists beds, borders and wall-side planting among its uses. It can fit courtyard gardens and less formal planting schemes. Routine pruning is not needed, which helps keep care simple. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Sow seed in autumn to raise new plants. Another method is to root rosettes during spring.

Plants For A Future lists the root as edible. It reports that people can eat it raw or cooked. Its food-use score is low, at one out of five. The same source lists no known hazards. That report does not establish safety for every person or pet. It records no known medicinal uses and gives medicine a zero score. Its stated garden value rests on foliage and weed-suppressing cover.