Alkali sand-spurrey (Spergularia diandra, Pl. Atticae 1848: s.p. (1851))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: (Guss.) Heldr.

Bibliography: Pl. Atticae 1848: s.p. (1851)

Year: 1851

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Spergularia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Medit. to SW. Siberia and N. China

Description

The Alkali Sand-Spurrey, scientifically known as Spergularia diandra, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. This resilient species has an extensive geographical range, spanning from the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean region to Southwest Siberia and Northern China.

Spergularia diandra thrives in various habitats, often found in saline or alkaline soils where other vegetation might struggle to survive. Its adaptive nature allows it to colonize disturbed or marginal lands, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological balance of these areas. The plant displays small, delicate flowers that are typically pink or white, adding a subtle beauty to the rugged environments it inhabits.

First documented in the mid-19th century in “Plantae Atticae” (1848: s.p. 1851) by the esteemed botanist Theodor von Heldreich, who cited (Guss.) Heldr. as the author, Spergularia diandra continues to intrigue botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its ability to endure harsh conditions makes it a subject of interest in studies related to plant resilience and adaptation.

In summary, the Alkali Sand-Spurrey is a remarkable and unassuming plant that plays an essential role in its ecosystems. Its wide distribution and ability to thrive in challenging environments make it a noteworthy subject in the field of botany.

Common Names

Eng: alkali sandspurry, two-stamen spurrey, alkali sand-spurrey, lesser, lesser sand-spurrey, mediterranean sand-spurrey, diandra sand-spurrey, two-stamened sand-spurrey
Deu: zweimännige schuppenmiere
Fra: spergulaire à deux étamines
En: Alkali sand-spurrey, Lesser, Lesser sand-spurrey, Alkali sandspurry, Two-stamen Spurrey, Mediterranean sand-spurrey, Diandra sand-spurrey, Two-stamened sand-spurrey
Fr: Spergulaire à deux étamines
De: Zweimännige Schuppenmiere
It: Spergularia con 2 stami

Synonyms

• Spergularia salsuginea var. bracteata (B.L.Rob.)
• Spergularia adenophora (Vved.)
• Spergularia diandra maura (Pau & Sennen)
• Spergula diandra ((Guss.) Murb.)
• Alsine diandra ((Guss.) House)
• Lepigonum diandrum var. viscidum (Regel)
• Lepigonum salsugineum (Kindb.)
• Lepigonum salsugineum var. leiospermum (Bunge)
• Spergularia diandra var. leiosperma ((Bunge) Asch. & Schweinf.)
• Spergularia degenii (Sennen)
• Spergularia alleluia (Sennen)
• Spergularia amurensis (Pomel)
• Spergularia salsuginea var. tenuissima (Rouy & Foucaud)
• Tissa diandra ((Guss.) Brandegee)
• Spergularia patens (Hochst. ex Boiss.)
• Tissa bracteata ((B.L.Rob.) Small)
• Alsine bracteata ((B.L.Rob.) House)
• Arenaria diandra (Guss.)
• Spergularia rubra var. amurensis ((Pomel) Batt.)
• Spergularia nematopoda (Vved.)
• Spergularia balearica (Sennen)
• Lepigonum melanospermum (Lange ex Kindb.)
• Spergula diandra var. leiosperma ((Bunge) Maire)
• Spergularia salsuginea ((Bunge) Fenzl)
• Arenaria salsuginea (Bunge)
• Buda diandra ((Guss.) Kuntze)
• Spergularia rubra subsp. diandra ((Guss.) Arcang.)
• Tissa diandra subsp. bracteata ((B.L.Rob.) Piper)
• Spergularia bracteata ((B.L.Rob.) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 27, 2022 by Asd Syr (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085636)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77066304-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Spergularia diandra (Guss.) Heldr.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 5