Bird-eye pearlwort (Sagina procumbens, Sp. Pl.: 128 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 128 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sagina

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to Siberia and Darjiling, Medit. and N. Iran

Description

Bird-eye pearlwort, a low-growing perennial herb, is scientifically recognized as Sagina procumbens. First documented in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this resilient plant has established a diverse geographical presence.

Belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, commonly known as the carnation family, bird-eye pearlwort flourishes across various regions, including Macaronesia, Europe, stretching to Siberia and Darjeeling, as well as parts of the Mediterranean and northern Iran. Its adaptability to different climates and terrains underscores its robust nature.

Characterized by its creeping habit, Sagina procumbens forms dense mats of small, bright green foliage that provides a soft ground cover. The petite white flowers, often overlooked due to their size, add a delicate charm to the plant’s appearance. This species is frequently found in moist, shady environments and can thrive in both natural landscapes and garden settings.

Bird-eye pearlwort’s ability to populate and stabilize soil makes it valuable for erosion control in addition to its aesthetic contributions. This hardy little plant showcases the resilience and versatility typical of the Caryophyllaceae family.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig firling
Eng: bird-eye pearlwort, birdeye pearlwort, birdseye pearlwort, matted pearlwort, procumbent pearlwort, spreading pearlwort, bird’s-eye pearlwort, pearlwort
Deu: niederliegendes mastkraut, gewöhnliches niederliegendes salzkraut
Swe: krypnarv
Nld: liggende vetmuur
Fra: sagine couchée, sagine rampante
Sme: njagosárremas
Nob: tunarve, tunsmåarve
Nno: tunarve, tunsmåarve
Cym: corwlyddyn cyffredin, corwlyddyn gorweddol
En: Bird-eye pearlwort, Matted pearlwort, Procumbent pearlwort, Spreading pearlwort, Birdeye pearlwort, Birdseye pearlwort, Bird’s-eye pearlwort, Pearlwort, Common Pearlwort
Be: Гарыца ляжачая
Ca: Sagina procumbent
Zh: 仰卧漆姑草
Cs: Úrazník položený
Da: Almindelig Firling
Nl: Liggende vetmuur
Et: Lamav kesakann
Fi: Rentohaarikko
Fr: Sagine couchée, Saginion procumbensis, Sagine rampante
De: Gewöhnliches niederliegendes Salzkraut, Alpines Niederliegendes Mastkraut, Gewöhnliches Niederliegendes Mastkraut, Küsten-Niederliegendes Mastkraut, Liegender Knebel, Liegendes Mastkraut, Niederliegender Knebel, Niederliegendes Mastkraut
Is: Skammkrækill
Ga: Mongán sínte
It: Sagina sdraiata
Se: Njagosárremas
Nb: Tunarve, Tunsmåarve
Nn: Tunarve, Tunsmåarve
Pl: Karmink rozesłany, Karmnik rozesłany
Ru: Мшанка лежачая
Sk: Machovička položená
Sv: Krypnarv
Zh-tw: 仰臥漆姑草
Zh-hant: 仰臥漆姑草
Uk: Мокрець
Cy: Corwlyddyn gorweddol, Corwlyddyn Cyffredin

Synonyms

• Sagina procumbens var. erecta (H.Post)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Crozet Is. (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Kerguelen (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marion-Prince Edward (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northwest Territorie (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• South Georgia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2022 by Nott karen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Genoveva Valenzuela (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2020 by Isabelle Werner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Fauna Reeves (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Chloé Duffaut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Chloé Duffaut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Vegetal2013 ENSNP (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Vegetal2013 ENSNP (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Chloé Duffaut (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Sarah LAVAUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2017 by Sarah Dechamps (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 20, 2022 by wolkengold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Arjen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 1854 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Sagacious_Goose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre CROUZET (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302082-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085402)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sagina procumbens L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7

Soil salinity: 1