Herniary breastwort (Herniaria glabra, Sp. Pl.: 218 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 218 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Herniaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Mongolia and China (Sichuan), NW. Africa

Description

Herniaria glabra, commonly known as Herniary breastwort, is a resilient, low-growing herb that thrives in diverse habitats ranging from the temperate regions of Europe to the far-reaching areas of Mongolia and China’s Sichuan province, as well as the northwestern regions of Africa. Described scientifically by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753, this plant belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, known for its wide variety of flowering plants.

Herniaria glabra is distinguished by its small, delicate leaves and its prostrate growth habit, making it an ideal ground cover. Despite its unassuming appearance, it exhibits a remarkable capability to adapt and proliferate in different environments, often found in sandy soils, grasslands, and rocky outcrops. Its hardiness is reflected in its extensive geographical range, demonstrating its ability to withstand various climatic conditions.

This plant has historical significance in folk medicine due to its traditional use in treating hernias and other ailments, which is reflected in its common name “Herniary breastwort.” Though it might not possess the showy flowers of some of its botanical relatives, Herniaria glabra’s subtle charm and utility have earned it a noteworthy place in both horticultural and medicinal contexts.

Whether you encounter this tenacious herb in a European meadow, amid the rugged landscapes of Mongolia, or the varied terrains of Sichuan and Northwest Africa, Herniary breastwort continues to intrigue botanists and plant enthusiasts alike with its adaptability and enduring presence.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig brudurt, brudurt, glat brudurt
Nor: brokkurt, brudgras, tusind korn
Deu: kahles bruchkraut
Eng: smooth rupturewort, glabrous rupturewort, herniary breastwort, rupturewort, smoother rupture-wort, smooth rupture-wort, green carpet, smooth burstwort
Fra: herniaire glabre
Nld: kaal breukkruid
Swe: knytling, vanlig knytling
Cym: llys y fors, llys y fors eddïog, llysiau’r-fors llyfn
En: Herniary breastwort, Smooth rupturewort, Rupturewort, Glabrous rupturewort, Smoother rupture-wort, Smooth Rupture-Wort, Green carpet, Smooth burstwort, Rupture Wort
Az: Çılpaq herniyar
Ba: Бүҫер үләне
Be: Гладун гладкі
Bg: Голо изсипливче
Ca: Herniària, Herba de sant Francesc, Herniària vera
Zh: 治疝草
Cs: Průtržník lysý
Da: Almindelig brudurt, Brudurt, Glat brudurt
Nl: Kaal breukkruid
Et: Harilik söötreiarohi
Fi: Ketotyräruoho, Tyräruoho
Fr: Herniaire glabre, Herniole, Turquette
De: Kahles Bruchkraut
He: דרכנית קירחת
Hu: Porcikafű
It: Erniaria glabra
Lv: Kailā trūkumzālīte
Lt: Plikasis skleistenis
Mk: Ситница гола
No: Brokkurt, Brudgras, Tusind korn
Fa: علف ترکی
Pl: Połonicznik nagi
Ro: Feciorică
Ru: Грыжник гладкий
Sr: Ситница
Sk: Prietržník holý
Es: Goli kilovnik, Hierba de la piedra, Hierba turca
Sv: Knytling, Vanlig knytling
Tg: Алафи гунҷишк
Uk: Остудник голий
Cy: Llysiau’r-fors llyfn, Llys y Fors, Llys y Fors Eddïog

Synonyms

• Herniaria glabra f. glaberrima ((Fenzl) Trinajstić)
• Herniaria glabra f. scabrescens ((Willk.) Trinajstić)
• Herniaria glabra var. glaberrima (Fenzl)
• Herniaria vulgaria (Bonnier & Layens)
• Herniaria glabra var. setulosa (Beck)
• Herniaria glabra var. vera (Bab.)
• Herniaria glabra var. atrovirens (Strobl)
• Herniaria glabra var. decipiens (Pomel ex Batt.)
• Herniaria graebneri (F.Herm.)
• Herniaria vulgaris subsp. glabra ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Herniaria glabra subsp. microcarpos (F.Herm.)
• Herniaria suavis (Klokov)
• Herniaria kotovii (Klokov)
• Herniaria glabra var. parviflora (Lange)
• Herniaria glabra var. guadarramica (Sennen)
• Herniaria glabra var. genuina (Willk.)
• Paronychia herniaria (E.H.L.Krause)
• Herniaria vulgaris (Spreng.)
• Herniaria microcarpa (C.Presl)
• Herniaria glabra subsp. rotundifolia ((Vis.) Trpin)
• Herniaria ceretanica ((Sennen) Sennen)
• Herniaria ceretana (Sennen)
• Herniaria corrigioloides (Lojac.)
• Herniaria rotundifolia (Vis.)
• Herniaria nebrodensis (Jan ex Nyman)
• Herniaria glabra subsp. ceretana ((Sennen) Sennen)
• Herniaria glabra subsp. nebrodensis (Jan ex Nyman)
• Herniaria arenaria (Kuntze)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Utah (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.

Flower

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2017 by Sarah Dechamps (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2019 by Reinhard Bachmann (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Daniel CAHEN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 28, 2021 by Lopez Francisco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2022 by Delphine PAYET (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Robbie11993 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 13, 2021 by brew sam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2019 by Karsten Meyer (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 11, 2019 by Katalea K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Pierre-Yves Payen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:434799-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085798)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Herniaria glabra L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]