Short-stem Sand-spurrey

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Scientific Name: Spergularia brevifolia
Short stem Sand-spurrey - plant
Short-stem Sand-spurrey - plant
Photo: A J Brown

Other Common Name:

Known as Spergularia sp. 3 in a number of State Floras.

Status:

Probably native to Australia. Occurs in all states.

Plant Description:
Annual to short-lived perennial with a slender to woody rootstock. Stems mostly 6-15 cm long, largely spreading along the ground but may also be erect. Leaves whorled, narrow linear, more or less flattened and mucronate to prominently awned at the apex. Stipules long acuminate. Flowers uniformly rose-pink or lilac with 7-10 stamens. Petals often much shorter than sepals but capsules exceeding sepals. Unwinged seeds 0.5-0.6 mm long, more or less smooth to densely covered with coarse warty outgrowths and grey-brown to black with a metallic or iridescent lustre.

Habitat:
Widespread in more arid and/or salt affected regions in the north of the State but also known from further south.

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

Short-stem Sand-spurrey - flower Photo: A J Brown	Short-stem Sand-spurrey - leaves Photo: A J Brown	Short-stem Sand-spurrey - flower buds Photo: A J Brown
Short-stem Sand-spurrey - leaves Photo: A J Brown	Short-stem Sand-spurrey - flowers Photo: A J Brown	Short-stem Sand-spurrey - seed capsules Photo: A J Brown
Short-stem Sand-spurrey - seed capsules Photo: A J Brown

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Scientific Name:	Spergularia brevifolia	Short-stem Sand-spurrey - plant Photo: A J Brown
Other Common Name:	Known as Spergularia sp. 3 in a number of State Floras.
Status:	Probably native to Australia. Occurs in all states.
Plant Description:	Annual to short-lived perennial with a slender to woody rootstock. Stems mostly 6-15 cm long, largely spreading along the ground but may also be erect. Leaves whorled, narrow linear, more or less flattened and mucronate to prominently awned at the apex. Stipules long acuminate. Flowers uniformly rose-pink or lilac with 7-10 stamens. Petals often much shorter than sepals but capsules exceeding sepals. Unwinged seeds 0.5-0.6 mm long, more or less smooth to densely covered with coarse warty outgrowths and grey-brown to black with a metallic or iridescent lustre.
Habitat:	Widespread in more arid and/or salt affected regions in the north of the State but also known from further south.
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