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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Arctic Pearlwort
Sagina saginoides (L.) Karst.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Pink (Caryophyllaceae)
Flowering: May-December
Field Marks: This dwarf, matted pearlwort is a perennial with 5 sepals no more than 1/10 inch long, with the petals usually slightly shorter.
Habitat: Moist areas in the mountains.
Habit: Perennial herb with a thickened root.
Stems: Lying flat on the ground to ascending, mat-forming, up to 4 inches tall, smooth.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, thread-like to linear, 1/4-1/2 inch long, smooth, without teeth.
Flowers: Usually in the axils of the uppermost leaves, on slender stalks 1/4-1/2 inch long, smooth, often curved near the tip.
Sepals: 5, green, oval, up to 1/10 inch long, rounded at the tip, green.
Petals: 5, white, oval, up to 1/16 inch long, rounded at the tip.
Stamens: 5.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth.
Fruits: Capsules ovoid, up to 1/8 inch long, smooth.

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Return to Species List -- Group 7
Next Species -- Red Saltwort (Salicornia rubra)

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/florawe/species/7/sagisagi.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:27:23 EST
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