Blue field-madder (Sherardia arvensis, Sp. Pl.: 102 (1753))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 102 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sherardia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, Macaronesia to Iran

Description

Blue field-madder, known scientifically as Sherardia arvensis, is a fascinating member of the Rubiaceae family. This plant was first described in 1753 by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”

Native to a wide range extending from Europe and Macaronesia to as far east as Iran, the Blue field-madder thrives in diverse habitats. This adaptability showcases its hardiness and ability to establish itself in various environments.

The plant is noted for its delicate beauty, sporting small, star-shaped flowers that can range in hues from pale blue to a charming lavender. These blossoms, though modest in size, make a significant contribution to the aesthetic value of the landscapes they inhabit. The foliage of Sherardia arvensis consists of whorled leaves which are typically small and lance-shaped, adding to the plant’s overall dainty appearance.

In addition to its visual appeal, Blue field-madder has intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike due to its widespread distribution and resilience. It often occupies fields and disturbed grounds, which hints at its robust nature and knack for thriving even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Overall, Sherardia arvensis or Blue field-madder represents a remarkable plant species within the Rubiaceae family, celebrated not only for its beauty but also for its widespread presence across a variety of regions. Its discovery and classification by Linnaeus add a historical depth to our understanding of this plant, underlying its long-standing recognition and study within the botanical community.

Common Names

Deu: ackerroete, ackerröte
Eng: blue field-madder, blue fieldmadder, field madder, field-madder, herb-sherard, blue field madder, cultivated field madder
Dan: blåstjerne
Nor: blaamader, blaamour, smaamader, smaanerle
Nld: blauw walstro, blauw guichelheil
Ces: bra, rolnica rolná
Est: madarik
Fra: shérardie des champs, rubéole, rubéole des champs, shérardie
Lav: tīruma šerardija
Swe: åkermadd, blåmadra
Cym: corwreiddrudd, mandon las yr ŷd, sherardia glas, mandon las yr yd
Nob: blåmaure
Nno: blåmaure
Gla: dearg faille
Kat: კელაპტარა
En: Blue field-madder, Field-madder, Herb-sherard, Blue fieldmadder, Field madder, Blue field madder, Cultivated field madder
Be: Шэрардыя
Bg: Полски гръдник
Ca: Rèola borda, Rèvola borda
Zh: 雪亚迪草, 雪亞迪草
Cs: Bračka rolní, Bra, Rolnica rolná
Da: Almindelig Blåstjerne, Blåstjerne
Nl: Blauw walstro, Blauw guichelheil, Blauwwalstro
Et: Madarik
Fi: Sinimatara
Fr: Shérardie des champs, Rubéole, Rubéole des champs, Shérardie, Gratteron fleuri
Ka: Კელაპტარა
De: Ackerröte, Ackerroete
He: ששית מצויה
Ga: Dearg faille
It: Toccamano
Lv: Tīruma šerardija
Lt: Dirvinė šerardija
No: Blaamader, Blaamour, Smaamader, Smaanerle
Nb: Blåmaure
Nn: Blåmaure
Pl: Rolnica pospolita, Rolnica
Pt: Granza, Granza-dos-campos
Pt-br: Garança-do-campo
Ru: Жерардия
Gd: Màdar na Machrach, Dearg faille
Sk: Drapuľa roľná
Es: Raspilla, Revoli, Rubial
Sv: Åkermadd, Blåmadra
Zh-tw: 雪亞迪草
Uk: Шерардія польова
Cy: Mandon las yr ŷd, Corwreiddrudd, Sherardia Glas, Mandon las yr yd

Synonyms

• Sherardia affinis (Gand.)
• Sherardia arvensis var. hirsuta (Baguet)
• Sherardia arvensis var. albiflora (Tinant)
• Sherardia agraria (Tornab.)
• Sherardia arvensis var. mutica (Wirtg.)
• Sherardia elliptica (Gand.)
• Asperula sherardia var. maritima ((Griseb.) Höck)
• Asterophyllum scherardianum (K.F.Schimp. & Spenn.)
• Sherardia arvensis var. walrawenii (Wirtg. ex Baguet)
• Hexodontocarpus arvensis ((L.) Dulac)
• Sherardia arvensis var. hirta (R.Uechtr.)
• Sherardia arvensis var. littoralis (Conill)
• Sherardia arvensis var. maritima (Griseb.)
• Sherardia umbellata (Gilib.)
• Sherardia arvensis f. maritima ((Griseb.) Litard.)
• Sherardia pantocsekii (Gand.)
• Asperula sherardii var. typica (Höck)
• Asperula sherardii var. maritima ((Griseb.) Höck)
• Sherardia arvensis subsp. maritima ((Griseb.) Jáv.)
• Asperula sherardia (Hallier)
• Galium sherardia (E.H.L.Krause)
• Sherardia arvensis var. crispa (Fr.)
• Sherardia arvensis var. neglecta (Guépin ex Nyman)
• Sherardia maritima ((Griseb.) Borbás)
• Sherardia arvensis f. argentina (Hicken)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Crozet Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 13, 2018 by Chris Bristow (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2018 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2018 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2018 by Matesanz Ángel (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 10, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by grutz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Audrey Maurin (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 23, 2020 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by grutz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Audrey Maurin (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 22, 2021 by Groupe Botanique de Bruxelles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Claire SUTTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (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.

Bark

Taken Nov 22, 2015 by EOL − johnsteel (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Annie Elle (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2022 by Annie Elle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5339050)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:766342-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sherardia arvensis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6