About Geocarpon glabrum (Michx.) E.E.Schill.
Geocarpon glabrum, commonly known as Appalachian stichwort, is a flowering plant species belonging to the carnation family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to the eastern United States, where it has a scattered distribution. Its natural habitat consists of siliceous rock outcrops, including granite, sandstone, gneiss, and schist. In the Cumberland Mountains, this species is a major component of sandstone glade communities. Because of its narrow specific habitat requirements, the species is uncommon across its entire range. Geocarpon glabrum is a small, delicate annual plant. It produces white flowers during late spring and early summer. It is closely related to Geocarpon groenlandicum, and was historically classified as a variety of this species. It can be distinguished from G. groenlandicum by several features: its taller stature, annual growth habit, upright non-mat-forming growth, smaller petals, and more flowers per cyme. Additionally, G. glabrum grows at lower elevations than G. groenlandicum.
