Recurved sandwort (Minuartia recurva, Bull. Herb. Boissier, sér. 2, 7: 404 (1907))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: (All.) Schinz & Thell.

Bibliography: Bull. Herb. Boissier, sér. 2, 7: 404 (1907)

Year: 1907

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Minuartia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Ireland, SC. & S. Europe

Description

The Recurved Sandwort, scientifically known as Minuartia recurva, is an intriguing member of the Caryophyllaceae family. First documented in 1907 in the Bulletin of the Boissier Herbarium, the plant owes its formal botanical description to (All.) Schinz & Thell.

Minuartia recurva is predominantly found in the southwestern regions of Ireland and extends across southern and south-central Europe. This distribution highlights its adaptability to various climates and terrains, though it favors specific ecological niches where it thrives best.

This delicate perennial ground cover showcases thin, needle-like leaves that recur as its name suggests, giving the plant a unique and identifiable appearance. The Recurved Sandwort produces small, white flowers that add to its subtle charm, typically blooming in clusters. These flowers, although not ostentatious, play a pivotal role in the plant’s reproductive cycle and contribute to the biodiversity of their habitats.

Adapted to rocky soils and often found in alpine and subalpine zones, Minuartia recurva is an excellent example of flora that have evolved to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Its presence is crucial in these ecosystems as it aids in soil stabilization and provides a niche for various small insects and invertebrates.

Because of its specialized habitat requirements and relatively limited geographical range, the Recurved Sandwort also serves as an important species for monitoring environmental changes. Shifts in its population or health could indicate broader ecological impacts, thus marking it as a valuable subject for ongoing botanical and environmental research.

The elegant simplicity of Minuartia recurva, along with its ecological significance, makes it a plant of substantial interest both for botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Deu: krummblättrige miere
Eng: recurved sandwort
Cym: tywodlys atro
En: Recurved Sandwort
Ca: Minuàrtia recurvada
Fr: Alsine recourbée, Minuartie à feuilles incurvées, Minuartie recourbée
De: Krummblättrige Miere
It: Minuartia ricurva
Cy: Tywodlys Atro
: Recurved sandwort

Synonyms

• Minuartia verna var. juressi ((Willd. ex Schltdl.) Samp.)
• Cherleria verna var. juressi ((Willd. ex Schltdl.) Samp.)
• Alsine recurva f. biguerrensis (Pau)
• Minuartia recurva var. juressi ((Willd. ex Schltdl.) Cout.)
• Alsine recurva ((All.) Wahlenb.)
• Arenaria recurva (All.)
• Sabulina recurva ((All.) Rchb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2018 by marco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by furs (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 18, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Françoise Carle (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 13, 2020 by Thomas Masclaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by kaitlyn verge (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Ana C (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2018 by Muriel Barrat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 31, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Françoise Carle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Françoise Carle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

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

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7267522)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:155635-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Minuartia recurva (All.) Schinz & Thell.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 1