Arenaria serpyllifolia L. Thyme-leaved Sandwort

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. - Thyme-leaved Sandwort

Scientific Description:

Robust, puberulent to glandular-pubescent annual, 5−25 cm. Basal leaves spathulate, withering before anthesis; the rest 2−6 mm, ovate-triangular, acute to acuminate, sessile, (3−)5-veined. Inflorescence frequently monochasial, 5−30-flowered; bracts foliaceous; pedicels 2−8 mm. Sepals 3−4 mm, ovate-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, 3−5-veined. Petals ovate, less than 3/4 as long as sepals. Capsule subglobose, abruptly narrowing towards the top (flask-shaped), less than 2 × longer than broad; walls rather hard and brittle, fracturing under pressure. Seeds 0.55−0.7 × (0.5−)0.55−0.65 mm, tuberculate; tubercles papillose.

Flowering time: May−July.

Habitat: Weed of cultivated land and in open communities on mountains, 30−2500 m.

Reference:

McNeill J (1967). Arenaria serpyllifolia L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2: 28.

Public Description:

Arenaria serpyllifolia, common name “thyme-leaved sandworts” is native to Europe and Asia and is introduced thoughout temperate North America. It is an annual tiny plant with white flowers that can be reach 20 cm in length. It blooms between May and July and is found in rocky and hillside ridges, meadows, gravel patches, sandy banks, and river banks.

References:.

Anonymous (2015). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arenaria_serpyllifolia, Accessed date: 29.12.2015.

Dinç M (2012). Arenaria L. In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 326–328.