Scientific Family
Caryophyllaceae
Synonyms
Spergularia marina, S. leiosperma, S. sparsiflora, S. tenuis var. involucrata, Tissa marina, Tissa tenuis
Other common names
saltmarsh sandspurry
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Biennial or perennial
Similar species
Spergularia media, S. rubra
Height
3 to 8 inches
Riparian
No
Delicate, slender roots; glandular; stems erect to trailing, usually much branched; leaves narrow, inconspicuous dull white stipules; flowers single in leaf axils or clusters of 3 or more at top of plant, petals oval, white or pink to purplish-pink.
Stems erect to trailing along ground; narrow, fleshy, opposite leaves; stipules present; widely branched terminal clusters of conspicuous pink flowers, or single flowers in leaf axils; styles 3 to 5, usually distinct to the base; fruit a capsule.
Habitat
Mud flats, alkaline fields, sandy river bottoms, sandy coasts, salt marshes, saline highway edges.
Plant Community
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
2500
High elevation
3500
Flower Characteristics
Sepals have united lobes, often 3-veined, oval-like to elliptic, to twice as long as wide, to 1 times as long as sepals; tip pointed to rounded; stamens commonly 2 to 5, styles 3, very short.
Flower color
White, pink, purplish-pink
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
June
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves stalkless, to 1-1/2 inches long, <1/16 inch wide, linear, bristle-tipped, 1-veined, fleshy.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Opens into 3 spreading segments, egg-shaped, glandular.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Light brown to yellowish-brown
Seeds many, light brown.