Family: Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria
Citation:
L., L., Sp. Pl. 423 (1753).
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Thyme-leaved sandwort.
Description:
Minutely pubescent branching robust or slender usually glandular annual, rarely a biennial herb; stems 2-30 cm high; leaves sessile or petiolate, 3-5-veined, to c. 5 mm long.
Pedicels usually longer than the calyx; sepals lanceolate-acuminate, 3-4.5 mm long, 3-5-veined, green with white margins; petals half to two-thirds as long as the sepals.
Capsule often distinctly swollen at the base; seeds 0.45-0.7 mm diam., numerous, granular.
Distribution:
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About 250 species throughout the world, especially in the northern temperate zone.
W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. New Zealand; native to Europe.
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Biology:
No text
Taxonomic notes:
H. Eichler (1965), Suppl. 142, recorded A. leptoclados (Reichb.) Guss. from KI and there is a specimen from the NL region in the National Herbarium of Victoria identified as A. leptoclados, but its occurrence in S. Aust. has not been confirmed. Many specimens from throughout the range of this genus in S.Aust. show intermediate characters between these species but none has been found satisfactory for distinguishing between them. The following key is from Eichler (1965):
Key to Species:
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1. Sepals narrow-lanceolate, slender acuminate. Capsule oblong-conical, only slightly broadened at base, with thin, almost membranous walls. Flowers 3-5 mm diam. Seeds 0.3-0.6 mm diam. Chromosomes 2n = 20 |
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A. leptoclados |
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1. Sepals lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acuminate. Capsule ovoid, distinctly swollen at the base, with coriaceous walls. Flowers 5-8 mm diam. Seeds 4.45-0.7 mm diam. Chromosomes 2n = 40 |
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A. serpyllifolia |
Author:
Latin areana, sand; -aria, associated with; alluding to the habitat.
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