Soleirolia soleirolii (Req.) Dandy   =Helxine soleirolii   Urticaceae (Nettle Family)   Corsica, Sardinia   Baby's Tears

                                   October Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Pubescent very slender perennial, creeping and rooting at the nodes,  5-20 cm. long, without stinging hairs; lvs. alternate, 2-6 mm., suborbicular, 3-veined; fls. unisexual, solitary, the lower female, the upper male, each surrounded by an invol. of 1 bract and 2 bracteoles; ak. enclosed by the perianth and invol.

Habitat:  Cult. in shade gardens and escaping in damp shaded places near the coast, as at Santa Barbara.  Bloom dates not given in Munz, Flora So. Calif.

Name:  The genus and species are named in honor of Capt. J.F. Soleirol, 1791-1863, an early naturalist and collector, especially in Corsica.  (Hickman, Ed. 1083).

General:  Rare in the study area having been found only once and this in Big Canyon where the path crosses the fresh water stream near Jamboree Road.  (my comment).       Naturalized.  (Hickman, Ed. 1356).

Text Ref:  Bailey 343; Hickman, Ed. 1083; Munz, Flora So. Calif.  847.

Photo Ref:  June-Aug 90 # 6,19; Mar 95 # 22.

Identity: by John Johnson.

First Found:  March 1995.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 394.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004.

Last edit 8/8/05.

                 March Photo                                                                            October Photo