Spergularia rubra (L.) J. et. C. Presl subsp. rubra

Spice

Family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Genus: Spergularia

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte. Hemicryptophyte. Terophyte.

Habitats: Litoral marshes and riparian. Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Road sides and sandy soils.

Characteristics: A small herb, normally prostrate, up to 25 cm. in length. The stems don't usually form advantageous roots and the leaves (up to 35 mm in length) emerge opposite, awned and slightly fleshy. The flower pedicels are generally longer than the flower or fruit. The petals are the same length or slightly longer than the sepals, which are herbaceous and with a scabrous margin. The stipules are lanceolate and very silvery, much smaller than the upper bracts of the inflorescence. The seeds are dark brown, lacking wings and finely tuberculate.