Coral-necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum, Sp. Pl.: 206 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 206 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Illecebrum

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, NW. Africa, Europe

Description

Coral-necklace is a delicate and attractive plant scientifically known as Illecebrum verticillatum. This fascinating species is part of the Caryophyllaceae family. Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his foundational work “Species Plantarum” published in 1753, Coral-necklace has since caught the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Illecebrum verticillatum is predominantly found across diverse regions, including Macaronesia, Northwest Africa, and various parts of Europe. Its preference for these particular habitats highlights its adaptability and the ecological niches it occupies within these geographical areas.

Characterized by its striking appearance, Coral-necklace is named for its unique, coral-like whorls of tiny flowers that elegantly encircle the plant’s stems, giving it an ornamental quality. Typically thriving in moist and sandy soils, it tends to establish itself in environments where it can receive ample sunlight and occasional shade, which may contribute to its distinct growth patterns and blooming cycles.

The plant’s distribution and adaptability to different climates make it an intriguing subject for study, particularly in fields related to botany and ecology. Coral-necklace’s role within its ecosystems, including its interactions with other flora and fauna, its methods of seed dispersal, and its overall contribution to biodiversity, are subjects worthy of exploration.

Illecebrum verticillatum continues to be a symbol of natural beauty and botanical interest within the Caryophyllaceae family. Its presence in the wild offers not only aesthetic value but also provides insightful data regarding plant distribution and adaptation across varying environmental conditions.

Common Names

Dan: bruskbæger
Eng: coral necklace, coral-necklace, knot-grass
Spa: falago
Deu: knorpelblume, knorpelkraut, quirl-knorpelmiere
Swe: glimmerört, broskbägare, broskfoderört
Nld: grondster
Fra: illécèbe verticillé
Cym: berwr yr iâr, clymog, clymogyn troellog, y glymog droellennog
En: Coral-necklace, Coral necklace, Knot-Grass
Cs: Nehtovec přeslenitý
Da: Bruskbæger
Nl: Grondster
Fi: Rustokki
Fr: Illécèbe verticillé, Illécèbre verticillé
De: Knorpelkraut, Knorpelblume, Quirlige Knorpelmiere, Quirl-Knorpelmiere, Quirlige Knorpelblume
It: Corrigiola verticillata, Corriggiola verticillata
Pl: Goździeniec okółkowy
Es: Falago
Sv: Glimmerört, Broskbägare, Broskfoderört
Cy: Y glymog droellennog, Berwr yr Iâr, Clymog, Clymogyn Troellog

Synonyms

• Bergeretia uliginosa (Bubani)
• Illecebrum verticillare (Oken)
• Paronychia verticillata (Lam.)
• Illecebrum atrorubens (Thuill. ex Steud.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Sweden (introduced)

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.

Leaf

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Uxeli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Uxeli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Jona Luther-Mosebach (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 22, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Uxeli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 30, 1850 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 22, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jorge NOLLA (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Václav Dvořák (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 16, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jorge NOLLA (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384589)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302405-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Illecebrum verticillatum L.)

Specifications

Growth