Page author: David Giblin
Spergularia rubra
red sandspurry
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Widely distributed on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east to the Rocky Mountains; also from the Great Lakes region to northeastern North America.

Habitat: Roadsides, parking areas, fields, wastelots, and other disturbed, open areas from low to middle elevations.

Flowers: April-October

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Annual, Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Self-pollination, bees, flies

Description:
General:

Glandular-pubescent annual, the many prostrate stems up to 3 dm. long, but under 1 mm. thick.

Leaves:

Leaves in bundles, linear, 5-15 mm. long and 1 mm. wide, with a needle-like tip; stipules conspicuous, several per node, 3.5-5 mm. long, acuminate.

Flowers:

Inflorescence a leafy, terminal cyme; sepals 5, 4-4.5 mm. long, glandular-pubescent; petals 5, pinkish, about 1 mm. shorter than the sepals; stamens 10; styles 3, 0.7 mm. long, distinct.

Fruits:

Capsule equaling the calyx.

Accepted Name:
Spergularia rubra (L.) J. Presl & C. Presl
Publication: Fl. ech. 94. 1819.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Arenaria rubra L.
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Spergularia rubra in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

WA Flora Checklist: Spergularia rubra checklist entry.

OregonFlora: Spergularia rubra information.

E-Flora BC: Spergularia rubra atlas page.

CalPhotos: Spergularia rubra photos.

USDA Plants: Spergularia rubra information.

50 photographs:
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