Spergularia marina (L.) Griseb.   Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)   Native   Salt-Marsh Sand Spurry

                                         May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  More or less diffuse annual; stems 0.5-3 dm. long, fleshy, +/- glandular-pubescent; lvs. scarcely fascicled, linear, 2-4 cm. long; stipules deltoid, 2-4 mm. long; infl. lax, cymes not much compound, leafy, usually glandular-pubescent; sepals ovate, 2.5-5 mm. long, blunt; petals white to pink, 2-4 mm. long; stamens 2-5; styles 0.4-0.6 mm. long; caps. 3.6-6 mm. long; seeds smooth or glandular-papillose, 0.6-0.8 mm. long, usually not winged.

Habitat:  Common along seashore and in alkaline places of interior and occasional on deserts; Coastal Strand, Alkali Sink, near Freshwater Marsh, etc.; to Wash., Atlantic Coast; Eurasia.  March-Sept.   

Name:  Name derived from Spergula.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 345).  Marina, of the sea, maritime.  (Bailey 17).

General: Occasional in the study area, found at 23^rd St. and other places around the bay. Photographed along Back Bay Dr. at the seep just before its termination into Eastbluff Dr. (my comments).       About 40 species., widely distributed.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 345).       S. salina may prove to be the correct name for this species.  (Hickman, Ed. 494).       In June 2001, I found S. marina growing with Jaumea along the path between 23^rd St. and Delhi and below the line of highest tide, the first time I have found it at such a low elevation.  One of the native halophytes of Upper Newport Bay.  (my comments).

Text Ref:  Abrams Vol. II 155; Hickman, Ed. 494; Munz, Calif. Flora 283; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 347.

Photo Ref:  May 1 88 # 8.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by F. Roberts.  

First Found:  May 1983.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 384.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 6/6/04.