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Photographer: Robert W. Freckmann
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Family Caryophyllaceae
Arenaria serpyllifolia L.
thyme-leaved sandwort
Arenaria: from Latin arena, "sand," referring to the sandy habitats of many species
serpyllifolia: with leaves like those of thyme, Serpyllum
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| Status: | Introduced - naturalized |
| Plant: | more or less erect, annual, delicate, softly-hairy forb; taprooted |
| Flower: | white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, stalks thin, un-notched petals usually shorter than the sepals; inflorescence a branched cluster; blooms May-Aug. |
| Fruit: | oval-conical capsule with 6 slits opening when mature; plump, gray to reddish brown seeds |
| Leaf: | usually 8-10 opposite pairs, less than 1/3" long, small, relatively broad, ovate |
| Habitat: | disturbed areas; in sandy, rocky soil |
| (Glossary) |
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