Family: Montiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 87 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Montia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subalpine & Temp. to Andes Mts.
Description
Water-blinks, scientifically recognized as Montia fontana, is a charming and delicate plant belonging to the Montiaceae family. Classified by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 within his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” this plant has piqued the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for its unique adaptability and resilience.
Often found thriving in subalpine and temperate regions, Water-blinks demonstrates remarkable versatility. Its natural range extends from lowland environments to the more demanding climates of the Andes Mountains, where it flourishes despite the fluctuating weather conditions and varying altitudes.
The plant is characterized by its small, succulent leaves and tiny white to pink flowers that bloom and add a subtle yet beautiful touch to the landscapes it inhabits. Montia fontana typically occupies moist, marshy terrains, bogs, and stream margins, where it plays a vital role in the ecosystem by stabilizing soil and providing habitat for various forms of wildlife.
Adaptable and tenacious, Water-blinks not only thrives in its native habitats but also serves as an indicator of ecological health. Its presence often signals a well-maintained and balanced wetland environment, making it an important species for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts.
In conclusion, Montia fontana, or Water-blinks, is a noteworthy member of the Montiaceae family, celebrated for its adaptability to various climates, from subalpine to the challenging conditions of the Andes Mountains. Its delicate beauty and ecological significance make it a subject of continued interest and study in the botanical world.
Common Names
Deu: bach-quellkraut, quellkraut
Eng: fountain miner’s lettuce, annual water minerslettuce, blinks, water-blinks, water blinks, annual water miner’s-lettuce, blinking chickweed, fountain candyflower, fountain miner’s-lettuce, water chickweed
Dan: stor vandarve
Lav: avotu montija
Nld: klein bronkruid en groot bronkruid, groot bronkruid
Swe: källört, källånke
Fra: montie des fontaines, montie des sources
Sme: opmorásáš
Cym: dyfrwlydd y ffynnon, dyfrwlyddyn, dyfrwlyddyn y ffynnon, gwlyddyn y dŵr, gwlyddyn y ffynnon, porpin y ffynnon
Ita: pendolino delle fonti
En: Water-blinks, Blinks, Fountain miner’slettucer, Annual water minerslettuce, Fountain miner’s lettuce, Water blinks, Annual water miner’s-lettuce, Blinking chickweed, Fountain candyflower, Fountain miner’s-lettuce, Water chickweed, Blinks [Montia fontana]
Az: İllik göstərici
Bg: Изворна монция
Ca: Amanida de gripau
Cs: Zdrojovka hladkosemenná pravá
Da: Stor Vandarve
Nl: Groot bronkruid, Klein bronkruid en groot bronkruid
Et: Oja-allikrohi
Fi: Lähdehetekaali
Fr: Montie des Fontaines, Montie des sources, Mouron aquatique, Mouron des fontaines, Petit Cresson, Petite Montie
De: Quellkraut, Bach-Quellkraut, Glattsamiges Quellkraut
Hu: Tavaszi forrásfű
Is: Lækjagrýta
Ga: Fliodh uisce
It: Pendolino delle Fonti
Lv: Avotu montija
Lt: Šaltininė menuva
Se: Opmorásáš
Pl: Zdrojek błyszczący
Ru: Монтия ключевая
Es: Mariquita, Montia menor
Sv: Källört, Källånke
Cy: Porpin y ffynnon, Dyfrwlydd y Ffynnon, Dyfrwlyddyn, Dyfrwlyddyn y Ffynnon, Gwlyddyn y Dŵr, Gwlyddyn y Ffynnon
Synonyms
- Montia aquatica (P.Micheli ex Rupr.)
- Claytonia fontana ((L.) R.J.Davis)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Albania (native)
- Aleutian Is. (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Antipodean Is. (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile South (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Corse (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Crozet Is. (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Falkland Is. (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Heard-McDonald Is. (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Kerguelen (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Macquarie Is. (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Marion-Prince Edward (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Montana (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New York (native)
- New Zealand North (native)
- New Zealand South (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Peru (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South Georgia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Washington (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Venezuela (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Viviane Mesnard79 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2021 by Ye (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2022 by Emmi Latzer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 20, 2022 by BRENDA GÓMEZ (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 4, 2022 by Maurizio Pellissari (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2022 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 31, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2019 by Emilien Henry (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 31, 2020 by Marie Jammet (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2021 by Ye (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 14, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9004024)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:311155-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Montia fontana L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 5.5
Ph minimum: 5.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Soil nutriments: 4