Family: Caryophyllaceae
Sagina
Citation:
L., Sp. Pl. 128 (1753).
Derivation: Latin for "fattening, nourishment"; a word applied by Linnaeus to this genus.
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Pearlworts.
Description:
Small annual or perennial herb, usually with slender erect ascending or procumbent stems; leaves subulate to linear-lanceolate, slightly cuneate, exstipulate.
Inflorescence cymose, flowers pedunculate, solitary, terminal or axillary; sepals 4 or 5, free; petals 4 or 5, white, sometimes wanting; styles 4, opposite the sepals.
Capsule as long as the sepals, opening to the base in 4 valves in S. Aust.; seeds numerous, obovoid, minute.
Distribution:
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About 30 species, chiefly in the Northern Hemisphere, but several now widespread as weeds.
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Biology:
No text
Key to Species:
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1. Stem erect, branches not rooting |
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2. Leaves with distinct short awns; pedicels and sepals frequently glandular |
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S. apetala 1. |
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2. Leaves blunt or mucronulate, not awned; pedicels and sepals normally glabrous |
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S. maritima 2. |
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1. Stem procumbent, branches often rooting |
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S. procumbens 3. |
Author:
Not yet available
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