Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Spergula arvensis
corn spurry
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.

Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed areas at low elevations.

Flowers: March-October

Origin: Introduced from Europe

Growth Duration: Annual

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Self-pollination

Description:
General:

Glandular-pubescent annual, the several stems ascending to erect, up to 6 dm. long.

Leaves:

Leaves several in widely-spaced whorls, narrowly linear, 1.5-4 cm. long and less that 1 mm. wide, light to dark green.

Flowers:

Flowers on long, slender pedicels in an open, terminal inflorescence; sepals 5, distinct, ovate, 2-3.5 mm. long; petals 5, white, equaling the sepals; stamens 10; styles 5, stigmas linear; ovary 1-celled.

Fruits:

Capsule opening at the tip by 5 valves opposite the sepals.

Accepted Name:
Spergula arvensis L.
Publication: Sp. Pl. 1: 440. 1753.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Spergula arvense L. var. sativa (Boenn.) Rchb. [FMR]
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Spergula arvensis in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database

WA Flora Checklist: Spergula arvensis checklist entry

OregonFlora: Spergula arvensis information

E-Flora BC: Spergula arvensis atlas page

CalPhotos: Spergula arvensis photos

12 photographs:
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