Fringed sandwort (Arenaria ciliata, Sp. Pl.: 425 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 425 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Arenaria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: C. & E. Alps to N. Albania, Carpathians., NW. Ireland

Description

Fringed sandwort, known scientifically as Arenaria ciliata, is an intriguing species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. This delicate perennial herb was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Native to several regions in Europe, Arenaria ciliata can be found flourishing in the challenging terrains of the Central and Eastern Alps, extending its presence to Northern Albania and the Carpathian Mountains. Interestingly, it also occupies a distinctive niche in Northwest Ireland, indicating its adaptability to diverse mountainous and alpine environments.

Fringed sandwort is characterized by its fine, fringed appearance, which gives the plant its common name. The flora typically thrives in high-altitude habitats, where it becomes a part of the specialized vegetation that can endure the harsher climatic conditions. The cushion-like growth forms of this plant are well-adapted to survive the cold, windy, and often nutrient-poor environments of alpine regions.

This plant holds particular interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts not just for its adaptability but also for its subtle beauty and the delicate structure of its flowers and leaves. The fringed sandwort plays a crucial role in these ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of alpine and subalpine plant communities.

Through the efforts of dedicated researchers and naturalists, Arenaria ciliata continues to be studied and appreciated for its unique characteristics and its role in the intricate web of alpine ecology.

Common Names

Deu: wimper-sandkraut, wimper-sandkraut (i. e. s.)
Swe: alpnarv
Eng: fringed sandwort, irish sandwort
Nor: haarnorell, mycke-norell
Cym: tywodlys eddïog, tywodlys gwyddelig
En: Fringed sandwort, Alpnarv, Irish Sandwort
Ca: Arenària ciliada
Fr: Sabline à plusieurs tiges, Sabline ciliée
De: Wimper-Sandkraut, Wimper-Sandkraut (i. e. S.), Bewimpertes Sandkraut
It: Arenaria cigliata, Arenaria moehringioide
No: Haarnorell, Mycke-norell
Pl: Piaskowiec orzęsiony
Es: Resasta peščenka
Sv: Alpnarv
Cy: Tywodlys eddïog, Tywodlys Gwyddelig

Synonyms

• Alsinella ciliata ((L.) Gray)
• Arenaria ciliata subsp. bernensis (Favarger)
• Arenaria ciliata var. subuniflora (Gaudin)
• Arenaria ciliata subsp. hibernica (Ostenf. & O.C.Dahl)
• Alsinanthus ciliatus ((Jacq.) Desv.)
• Arenaria ciliata f. multicaulis-grandiflora (Gaudin)
• Arenaria ciliata var. longipes (Rouy)
• Arenaria ciliata var. tenella ((Kit.) P.Fourn.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (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.

Leaf

Taken Jul 17, 2022 by odile maury (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 17, 2020 by David Jeanmonod (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2018 by Guido Lek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie-France PETIBON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie-France PETIBON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie-France PETIBON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7756154)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:151077-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Arenaria ciliata L.)

Specifications

Growth