Spergularia bocconii (Scheele) Merino Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family) Europe Boccone's Sand Spurry

                                          May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Annual, 0.5-3 dm. high, glabrous below, glandular-pubescent in infl.; lvs. not or but slightly fascicled, 1-2 cm. long; stipules deltoid, 2-4 mm. long, scarcely acuminate; bracts foliaceous; sepals ovate, glandular-pubescent, 2.5-5.4 mm. long; petals white to pink, shorter than calyx; stamens 6-10; styles 0.4-0.6 mm. long; caps 3-5 mm. long; seeds plump, brown, with broad swollen rim, minutely papillate, not winged, 0.4-0.5 mm. long.

Habitat:  Along paths, beach dunes and alkaline places, cismontane.  Santa Catalina, San Clemente and Santa Cruz Ids.  April-Sept.

Name:  Name derived from Spergula which is from the Latin, spargere, to scatter, because of sowing seeds to produce forage.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 345).  The species name is in honor of someone named Boccone? 

General:  Moderately common in the study area at low elevations.  Photographed on the Santa Ana Heights Flats and along Back Bay Dr. at the seep just before the road terminates at Eastbluff Dr.  (my comments).       About 40 spp., widely distributed.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 345).

Text Ref:  Abrams, Vol. II 155; Hickman, Ed. 494; Munz, Calif Flora 284; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 345; Roberts 18.

Photo Ref:  April-May 86 # 20; May 2 87 # 23A,24A.

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

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 337

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 11/16/02.

                                              May Photo