Scientific Family
Caryophyllaceae
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Biennial or perennial
Height
To 16 inches
Riparian
No
Tufted to mat forming with flowering stems erect from the base. The small white flowers form a loose cluster at the top of the stems. It is a common weed nationwide introduced from Europe.
Curved cylindric fruit capsules with 10 teeth; 10 stamens and 5 styles; bracts with membraneous margins; all shoots producing flowers; often stoloniferous branches.
Habitat
Lawns, roadsides, pastures, open woodlands, wastelands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
The white flowers have a greenish center, 5 deeply notched 2-lobed petals and 5 yellow stamens. They are to 1/2 inch wide in a small loose cluster at the top of the flower stalk.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Other
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The oval to oblong leaves are very hairy and stalkless to 3/4 inch long. Sticky hairs on the stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Yellowish-green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The capsule is elongated, cylindric and curves upward to 1/2 inch long. At maturity, it splits open at the tip to release its seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Seeds are reddish-brown, rough and more or less flattened to about 1/32 inch long.