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Sagina decumbens (Elliott) Torrey & A. Gray ssp. decumbens . Common name: Eastern Pearlwort, Annual Pearlwort. Phenology: Feb-Jul. Habitat: Disturbed ground, fields, cracks in pavement or sidewalks. Distribution: NB west to IL and MO, south to c. peninsular FL and TX, with adventive occurrences farther west.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Crow (1978) and Crow in FNA (2005) treated S. decumbens and S. occidentalis S. Watson of the Pacific Coast of North America as subspecies. They differ primarily in seed architecture. Though clearly closely related, they seem equally well (and more simply) regarded as sibling species. A report of S. subulata (Swartz) C. Presl for Bedford County, VA, is apparently actually S. decumbens.

Synonymy : = Ar, Can, FNA5, GrPl, K4, NE, Crow (1978); Spergula decumbens Elliott < Sagina decumbens (Elliott) Torr. & A.Gray — C, F, Fl4, G, Il, NcTx, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, Atha, Alvarez, & Chaya (2018). Basionym: Spergula decumbens Elliott 1821

Links to other floras: = Sagina decumbens ssp. decumbens - FNA5

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
  • Great Plains: FAC
  • Midwest: FAC
  • Northcentral & Northeast: FAC

Heliophily : 9

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image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect to ascending annual of disturbed ground, fields and cracks in pavement.

Stems: Stems slender, tufted, simple or slightly branched, smooth.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, pairs joined at the base where they encircle the stem, linear, to 1/2 in. long, bristle-tipped, smooth.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers on thread-like stalks in loose raceme-like clusters at top of stem and from leaf axils; white; consisting of 5 spreading thin petals, 5 sepals shorter than and visible between the petals, 3-10 stamens and a green ovary with 3 stigmas.

Fruits: Fruit an oval capsule.

Comments:

Height: 1-6 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect to ascending annual of disturbed ground, fields and cracks in pavement.

stems: Stems slender, tufted, simple or slightly branched, smooth.

leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile, pairs joined at the base where they encircle the stem, linear, to 1/2 in. long, bristle-tipped, smooth.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers on thread-like stalks in loose raceme-like clusters at top of stem and from leaf axils; white; consisting of 5 spreading thin petals, 5 sepals shorter than and visible between the petals, 3-10 stamens and a green ovary with 3 stigmas.

fruits: Fruit an oval capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range:



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