About Spergularia rubra (L.) J.Presl & C.Presl
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
Spergularia rubra, commonly known as red sandspurry or red sand-spurrey, is a plant species in the Caryophyllaceae family.
Native and Introduced Distribution
It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to other continents including North America, South America, and Australia, where it is a common weed in many areas.
Habitat Range
This species grows across a very wide range of habitat types.
Growth Form and Stem Characteristics
It is an annual or perennial herb that grows a slender, glandular stem that reaches up to roughly 25 centimeters in length.
Leaf Morphology
The stem is lined with slightly fleshy, linear or threadlike leaves, each less than 2 centimeters long.
Leaf Tips and Stipules
Leaf tips may end in hard points or small spines, and shiny white, lance-shaped stipules grow alongside the leaves.
Flower Characteristics
Flowers develop in leaf axils and at stem tips; these flowers bear hairy, glandular sepals and five round-oval pink petals.
