Sand Spurrey

(Spergularia rubra)

 

Color Photograph: © by and courtesy of Robert W. Freckmann, University of Wisconsin at Stephens Point.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Sand Spurrey (Spergularia rubra)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: A small, prostrate plant. Flowers small, pink with petals equal to, or shorter than, the sepals. Flowers on long flower stalks arising from the leaf axils. Leaves narrow, needlelike, arranged in whorls about the stem. Plant 2 to 6 inches in height.

Distribution: In the east a primarily coastal species found along most of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Virginia. Found inland to Minnesota and Illinois in the west. Also occurs throughout most of western North America.

Habitat: Sand Spurrey is a species of beaches along the eastern coast.

Flowering period: June to October.

Sand Spurrey (Spergularia rubra)

Similar Species:

The combination of pink flowers, prostrate habit, and whorled, elongate leaves readily identify this species.

Similar Species

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