Family: Caryophyllaceae
Spergula arvensis
Citation:
L., Sp. Pl. 440 (1753).
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Corn spurrey, corn spurry.
Description:
Herb 20-40 cm high, with ascending stems more or less branched at the base and sparsely covered with glandular hairs above; leaves 1-3 cm long, linear, fleshy, with a longitudinal furrow beneath, apparently whorled at the nodes, with minute broad scarious stipules.
Flowers in irregular leafless cymes, on pedicels to c. 2.5 cm long, spreading or reflexed in fruit; sepals 5, ovate, with scarious margins; petals 5, white, ovate, entire, nearly as long as the sepals; stamens usually 10.
Capsules 5-valved, somewhat exceeding the sepals, ovoid; seeds orbicular, black, c. 1 mm diam., papillose, surrounded by a narrow wing or border.
| Spergula arvensis
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Image source: fig. 146 in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Published illustration:
Lamp, P. & Collet, F. (1976) Weeds in Australia, p. 307.
Distribution:
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S.Aust.: NL, MU, SL, SE. W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. New Zealand; native to Europe.
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Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: Aug. — Nov.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Author:
Not yet available
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