Mazus miquelii aka Miquel's Mazus

Mazus miquelii is a small perennial known as creeping mazus. Kew places it in the Mazaceae family. Its native range includes southeastern China and temperate East Asia. It also grows in parts of the eastern United States. There, records extend from New England to Ohio and Virginia. In Japan, it grows in wet lowlands near rice fields.

This plant forms a low, dense mat of green leaves. Garden plants reach about 0.25–0.5 feet [0.08–0.15 metres] tall. They spread about 0.5–1 foot [0.15–0.30 metres] across. Creeping stems take root where their nodes touch the ground. This helps the plant spread fast and fill small gaps. The leaves stay green through the growing season into fall. In warm winter climates, the foliage stays green year-round. Leaves near the base are spoon-shaped or wider toward their tips. They measure about one to two inches long. Their edges have teeth, and their surfaces lack hairs. Upright stems bear alternate leaves; creeping stems mostly bear opposite leaves.

Small flowers appear in late spring and summer, around June and July. The blooms form short racemes at the tips of stems. Each flower has a tube and two lips. Lavender or purple-blue petals carry white and yellow marks. The flowers measure less than one inch across. Their small size suits the plant's low form. After flowering, the plant bears capsule fruits.

Grow creeping mazus in full sun or partial shade. It needs steady moisture and does best in rich soil. It accepts clay, loam, and sand, with good drainage. It also tolerates wet soil and a range of pH levels. Sources place it in USDA hardiness zones 5–8. Its low upkeep makes it useful for small ground-cover beds. It can grow between stepping stones or in rock gardens. Rain gardens and other wet sites also suit it. The foliage tolerates foot traffic, and gardeners can mow it. These traits make it an option in place of lawn.

No major pest or disease problems are reported. Yet its spread needs care outside its native range. North Carolina State notes invasive behavior in some northern states. Plants For A Future lists young leaves as edible when cooked. That source gives edibility a low rating and reports no known hazards. It lists no known medicinal or other uses.