Annual thymelaea (Thymelaea passerina, Syn. Anal. Fl. Paris, ed. 2: 360 (1859))

Family: Thymelaeaceae

Author: (L.) Coss. & Germ.

Bibliography: Syn. Anal. Fl. Paris, ed. 2: 360 (1859)

Year: 1859

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Thymelaea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Xinjiang and W. Himalaya

Description

Annual thymelaea, scientifically known as Thymelaea passerina, is a noteworthy species within the Thymelaeaceae family. First described in the Syn. Anal. Fl. Paris, ed. 2: 360 (1859) by authorities (L.) Coss. & Germ., this plant is distinguished by its unique characteristics and historical significance.

Native to a wide geographical range, Annual thymelaea spans across Europe, extending its presence into the regions of Xinjiang and the Western Himalayas. This extensive distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various climates and terrains, from temperate European landscapes to the challenging conditions of the Himalayan highlands.

In appearance, Thymelaea passerina typically conforms to the morphological traits of its family, showcasing a delicate but hardy structure. The plant displays slender stems with small, often inconspicuous leaves, which contribute to its subtle elegance. The inflorescence of Annual thymelaea further adds to its charm, consisting of small, clustered flowers that, while modest, are key to its reproductive strategy and ecological interactions.

Moreover, this plant has been an integral part of various ecosystems, playing roles that range from soil stabilization to serving as a food source for specific insect species. Its presence in diverse habitats underscores its ecological versatility and importance.

Overall, Annual thymelaea represents a fascinating subject of botanical studies, not only due to its broad habitat range but also because of its intrinsic characteristics that enable it to thrive in a multitude of environments. This resilience and adaptability continue to make Thymelaea passerina a plant of interest for botanists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Deu: acker-spatzenzunge, kleine spatzenzunge, spatzenzunge
Eng: mezereon, spurge flax, annual thymelaea, spurge-flax, sparrow weed, sparrowwort
Fra: passerine annuelle, passarine annuelle, langue-de-moineau, passerine, passerine langue-de-moineau, thymélée passerine
Swe: sparvört
En: Annual thymelaea, Spurge-flax, Mezereon, Sparrow Weed, Spurge Flax, Sparrowwort
Ca: Cama de garsa
Nl: Vogelkopje
Fr: Passerine annuelle, Langue-de-moineau, Passerine, Passarine annuelle, Passerine langue-de-moineau, Thymélée passerine
De: Vogelkopf, Acker-Spatzenzunge, Ackerspatzenzunge, Gemeine Spatzenzunge, Gewöhnlicher Vogelkopf, Spatzenzunge, Sperlingskraut, Kleine Spatzenzunge
He: מתנן מצוי
It: Timelea annuale
Sv: Sparvört

Synonyms

• Passerina pubescens (Guss.)
• Thymelaea passerina var. perennans (Welw. ex Cout.)
• Stellera passerina var. tenuior (Rchb.)
• Giardia arvensis ((Lam.) C.Gerber)
• Daphne passerina ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Ligia passerina ((L.) Fasano)
• Passerina arvensis ((Lam.) Ball)
• Thymelaea arvensis (Lam.)
• Passerina concinna (Walp.)
• Passerina stellera (Ramond ex DC.)
• Passerina passerina ((L.) Huth)
• Stellera passerina (L.)
• Stellera annua (Salisb.)
• Passerina diarthronoides (Griff.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Leaf

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by sakiwhi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Lily Cheng Clavel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Lily Cheng Clavel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Alicia Guglielmone Zarauz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Gabriele Zanin (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 7, 2007 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2007 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 7, 2007 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 1983 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 26, 2018 by Tela Botanica − _ (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5420850)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77085178-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Thymelaea passerina (L.) Coss. & Germ.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 5