Lesser Sea-Spurrey
Spergularia marina (L.) Besser
Spergularia marina (L.) Besser, known as Lesser Sea-Spurrey, is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a sprawling annual or sometimes perennial plant with stems reaching up to 35 cm in length. The flowers have white to pink petals and sepals that are typically longer than the petals, measuring 2.5–4 mm. This species is adapted to saline environments and is found along coasts and in inland salt-affected areas.
Description
Spergularia marina is distributed across various regions including the Açores, Madeira, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, the United States, and parts of Asia and South America. Its flowers are similar to those of other sea-spurrey species, with a distinct feature being the longer sepals. The plant is commonly found in saline habitats, demonstrating a high tolerance to salt. It is also known by the name salt sandspurry. First published in 1822, the species is recognized for its adaptability to coastal and saline conditions.
Other common names
Lesser Sea-SpurreySalt SandspurreySaltmarsh Sand Spurry
Distribution
Açores · Madeira · Portugal Continental · BR · Flanders · SE · Vermont-US · Cundinamarca · NO · DK · TW · Afghanistan · Alabama · Albania · Alberta · Algeria · Altay · Argentina Northeast · Argentina Northwest · Argentina South · Arizona · Austria · Azores · Baleares · Baltic States · Belarus · Belgium · Bermuda · Brazil Northeast · British Columbia
Synonyms
Spergularia seminuliferaSpergularia salinaSpergularia dilleniiStipularia marinaSpergula seminuliferaSpergula salinaSpergula marinaSpergularia rubra var. marinaAlsine marginataAlsine marinaAlsine salinaAlsinella mediaArenaria marinaArenaria maritimaArenaria mediaArenaria rubra var. marinaArenaria salinaBuda marinaBuda marina var. minorBuda media var. marinaCorion marinumCorion marinum var. leiospermumSpergula salina var. faureiArenaria rubra subsp. marinaAlsine salinaSpergularia salina var. tenuisTissa tenuisSpergularia tenuisBuda marinaLepigonum leiospermum
