Brookweed (Samolus valerandi, Sp. Pl.: 443 (1753))

Family: Primulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 443 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Samolus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. & Subtrop. Old World to Trop. Mts.

Description

Brookweed, known scientifically as Samolus valerandi, is a noteworthy member of the Primulaceae family. Documented by Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has a rich history and fascinating distribution.

Brookweed flourishes in a range of climates, from temperate to subtropical regions of the Old World, extending its reach to the mountainous tropics. This adaptability has allowed it to colonize a variety of habitats, showcasing its versatility and resilience.

This herbaceous perennial plant is often found in moist, marshy environments, such as the edges of streams, wetlands, and damp meadows. The presence of Brookweed in these habitats signifies healthy, thriving ecosystems, as it often coexists with a diversity of flora and fauna.

The plant itself is relatively modest in appearance, with small white flowers arranged in loose clusters atop slender stems. The leaves are typically spoon-shaped, contributing to its delicate yet hardy presentation. Despite its unassuming look, Brookweed plays a critical ecological role by providing nectar for pollinators and serving as a food source for various wildlife.

Culturally and historically, Samolus valerandi has been recognized in various traditional remedies, highlighting its importance beyond mere aesthetic value. As researchers continue to explore its properties, Brookweed may reveal even more secrets about its utility and significance.

Overall, Brookweed exemplifies a plant species with both ecological importance and potential medicinal applications, making it a fascinating subject for botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: brookweed, seaside brookweed, thin leaf brookweed
Deu: bunge, salz-bunge
Dan: samel
Swe: bunge
Fra: samole, mouron d’eau, samole de valerand
Nld: waterpunge
Cym: claerlys, clairllysg, clerllysg, cleyrllys, ffrydlys, samwl, samylen
Nno: strandsamel
Nob: strandsamel
En: Brookweed, Seaside brookweed, Pineland Pimpernel, Valerand’s Brookweed, Smallflower water pimpernel, Water brookweed, Water-pimpernel
Ar: صابون عرب (صابون عَرَب)، عريضه (عَريضه), عريضه (عُريْضه)، سمنيه ستين (سِمْنيه ستْين)
Be: Самолюс Валеранда
Bg: Валерандова северница
Ca: Dolceta, Enciamet de la Mare de Déu
Zh: 水茴草
Hr: Lopatasti opojan
Cs: Solenka Valerandova
Da: Samel
Nl: Waterpunge
Et: Liht-randpung
Fi: Suolapunka, Valkosuolapunka
Fr: Mouron d’Eau, Samole de Valerand, Samole
De: Bunge, Salzbunge, Salz-Bunge
He: ערידת הביצות
Hu: Sziki árokvirág
It: Lino d’acqua
No: Strandsamel
Nb: Strandsamel
Nn: Strandsamel
Fa: علف جویباری
Pl: Jarnik solankowy
Ru: Самолюс Валеранда
Es: Pamplina de agua
Sv: Bunge
Zh-tw: 水茴草
Cy: Claerlys, Clairllysg, Clerllysg, Cleyrllys, Ffrydlys, Samwl, Samylen

Synonyms

• Samolus caulescens (Willd. ex Schult.)
• Samolus bracteatus (Stokes)
• Samolus geniculatus (Dulac)
• Samolus bracteolosus (Phil.)
• Samolus aquaticus (Lam.)
• Samolus beccabungae-facie (Gilib.)
• Samolus americanus (Spreng.)
• Anagallis aquatica (Endl. ex Ledeb.)
• Samolus valerandi var. typicus (R.Knuth)
• Samolus valerandi var. africanus (L.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Angola (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

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.

Flower

Taken Oct 30, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 10, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 15, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Claire RIGOULAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2022 by claire Felloni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3169313)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30021527-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Samolus valerandi L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 4