Scientific Family
Caryophyllaceae
Synonyms
Drymaria fendleri
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Similar species
Drymaria sp.
Height
4 inches
Riparian
No
A small erect or ascending forb with thin simple or branched stems and small clusters of terminal white flowers.
Blades of stem leaves oval to heart-shaped, to 1 inch wide and opposite; stems erect or ascending; Commonly under 6 inches. Flowers are borne in long-stemmed, axillary and terminal clusters; petal lobe apices are not notched; seeds less than 1/16 inch.
Habitat
Found in the shade of trees or shrubs in woodlands and montane forests.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
3 to 15 flowers appear on the end of long stalks in axillary or terminal clusters. Flower bracts are oblong, taper to a point and arch outward at their midsection, outer bracts shorter than inner bracts. Petals 5, less than 1/4 inch long.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
August
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are oval to heart-shaped, to 3/4 inch long and to 1 inch wide. Terminates at a point. Leaf stems are slender and shorter than the blades.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Bright green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Ovoid, 1/16 inch high, splitting open longitudinally to release the seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Tan to reddish-brown
Seeds many, tan to reddish brown, snail-shell-shaped. Less than 1/16 inch in size.