Western Wetland Flora
Field Office Guide to Plant Species
Sagina saginoides (L.) Karst.
- 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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