Lesser Sea-spurrey

Scientific Name:	Spergularia marina	Lesser Sea-spurrey - plant Photo: A J Brown
Other Common Names:	Salt Sand-spurrey, Saltmarsh Sand-spurrey, Lesser Sand-spurrey
Status:	Native to all States and New Zealand but cosmopolitan in distribution.
Plant Description:	Annual with a slender taproot and stems to 35 cm long. Leaves linear, fleshy and more or less obtuse. Stipules also obtuse. Flowers rose-purple with white bases to the petals, usually shorter than the 2.5-4 mm sepals which have a prominent blackish-red dot at their base. Stamens usually number 2-5. Capsules slightly longer than the sepals, containing 0.6-0.8 mm long, orange brown to deep red-brown, winged and unwinged seeds which have a thickened rim covered in tiny translucent bumps (or papillea).
Habitat:	Mostly growing on coastal cliffs, saltmarshes and inland saline wetlands.
Comments:	A number of Sea- or Sand-spurrey species occur in Victoria and can be difficult to tell apart. A simplified key to Spergularia species can be accessed here – Key to species

Lesser Sea-spurrey - flower Photo: A J Brown	Lesser Sea-spurrey with Lax Saltmarsh-grass Photo: A J Brown	Lesser Sea-spurrey - flower buds Photo: A J Brown
Lesser Sea-spurrey - leaves Photo: A J Brown	Lesser Sea-spurrey - mature capsules Photo: A J Brown