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Spreading sandwort

Minuartia patula (Michx.) Mattf.

[=Arenaria patula Michx. ]

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Spreading sandwort flower
Spreading sandwort leaves
Spreading sandwort leaves
Spreading sandwort
Spreading sandwort leaves
Spreading sandwort
Spreading sandwort

Morphology

Stem
Ascending to erect, simple or branched, glabrous or sometimes stipitate-glandular.
Leaves
Opposite; stipules absent; petiole absent; blade linear, .2 to .8 inch long, .02 to .07, base clasping, apex obtuse to prickly-pointed; without fascicles of secondary leaves in axils of primary leaves.
Inflorescence
Open, terminal cymes or flowers solitary and terminal or axillary, 5-30-flowered.
Flower
Pedicels spreading to ascending, .12 to 1.2 inch; sepals 5, lanceolate, .16 to inch, apex acute to acuminate; petals 5, white, oblanceolate, .28 to .4 inch, apex emarginated; stamens 10; styles 3.
Fruit
Capsules, narrowly ellipsoid, .12 to .16 inch; seeds reddish brown to black, nearly round, minute, tuberculate.

Ecology

Habitat
Rocky tallgrass prairies, glades, rock outcrops
Distribution
East 1/3 of Kansas

Additional Notes

Comments

Minuartia, for Juan Minuart, a 18th Century Spanish botanist and pharmacist and patula spreading.

Synonyms

Alternative scientific names that have been used for this plant.

Scientific Name: Arenaria patula

Full Citation: Arenaria patula Michx.

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Caryophyllaceae - Pink Family
Life Span
Annual
Height
2-12 inches
Last Updated
2016-05-01
Color Groups
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: April, May, June, July