KNOTTED PEARLWORT

Sagina Nodosa

Carnation & Campion Family [Caryophyllaceae]  

month8jul month8july month8aug month8sep month8sept

flower
flower8white		 inner
inner8green		 morph
morph8actino		 petals
petalsZ5		 stem
stem8round

2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
A low straggly plant with a tangle of stems growing in sand amidst a few other plants.


2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
With five white petals on longish 'stalks'.


2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
It may be the largest-flowered Pearlwort, but it is still quite small, only 5 - 10mm across. Leaves short, linear and blunt, much shorter than those of Heath Pearlwort.


2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
Flowers between 5 and 10mm across, with 10 white stamens bearing white to fawnish anthers.


2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
Stems may be reddened on one side. Five (sometimes only 4) white petals twice as long as the light-green sepals behind.


2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
Leaves in tight knot-like bundles up the stem. The whole plant barely 5cm above the ground.


2nd July 2009, above the strandline, Southport coast, Lancs. Photo: © RWD
Growing with Common Centaury and other plants just above the strandline.

Not to be confused with: Pearly Everlasting [a plant of similar name]

Superficial resemblance to : other low flowers with five petals such as Rock Spurrey and Common Centaury which are both found near the sea but those have lilac flowers amongst the many other differences.

Lookee-Likees :

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature :

This is the largest flowered Pearlwort amongst at least six others. The only other Pearlwort likely to be found on the beach is Sea Pearlwort, with Heath Pearlwort coming a far second, but Knotted Pearlwort can also grow in damp, grassy or rather bare places as well as peaty, sandy or gravelly places.

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Distribution
family8Pink family8Carnation family8Campion family8Caryophyllaceae
BSBI maps
genus8Sagina
Sagina

KNOTTED PEARLWORT

Sagina Nodosa

Carnation & Campion Family [Caryophyllaceae]