SPERGULARIA RUBRA

Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Common Names:- Sand-spurrey

Synonyms:- For a full list see.

https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:158983-1

#synonyms

Meaning:- Spergularia (L) Resembling spergula.

Rubra (L) Reddish

General description:- Annual to perennial with a slender to somewhat woody

taproot.

Stems:-

1) 5-25 cm, diffuse, decumbent or procumbent.

Leaves:-

1) Very erect and closely parallel, fasciculate, stipules long lanceolate, scarious,

acuminate, silvery.

Flowers:-

1) Bracts, of the inflorescence almost as large as the leaves.

2) Sepals and petals, 3-4 mm; petals dark purplish-pink.

3) Stamens, (5-)10.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, 4-5 mm, about equalling the sepals.

2) Seeds c. 0·5 mm, unwinged, dark brown, almost obtusely 3-angled

Key features:-

1) Axillary dwarf shoots numerous, with long white stipules.

2) Stamens usually 10.

3) Capsule 4-5 mm.

Habitat:- Open, sandy soil, roadside gravel and other disturbed habitats, mountain

dolines. 0-2100 m. The only Greek Spergularia that occurs mainly in inland habitats

and ascends to high altitude.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece - widespread in northern-temperate areas,

introduced in many parts of the southern hemisphere. Its native distribution is

uncertain. On Crete confined a few coastal areas and inland to the Lefka Ori

massif.

Flowering time:- Apr-Aug.

Photos by:- Thomas Giannakis