Silver nailroot (Paronychia argentea, Fl. Franç. 3: 230 (1779))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Fl. Franç. 3: 230 (1779)

Year: 1779

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Paronychia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Medit. to SC. Iraq and Sudan

Description

Silver nailroot, known scientifically as Paronychia argentea, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. Renowned for its delicate appearance, this plant exhibits small, silvery leaves that often shimmer in sunlight, giving it the common name derived from its striking foliage.

First documented in the third volume of Flora Française in 1779 by Lam., Paronychia argentea has since garnered attention from botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its natural habitat spans a diverse range of regions, from the Canary Islands through the Mediterranean basin to Southern Iraq and Sudan. This broad distribution indicates the plant’s versatile adaptability to different climates and soil types.

Paronychia argentea thrives in rocky, well-drained environments, often found in arid or semi-arid regions. The plant’s resilience to harsh conditions makes it an excellent choice for xeriscaping, which aims to reduce the need for irrigation in garden landscapes. Its compact, mat-forming growth also provides ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion in vulnerable areas.

Beyond its aesthetic and practical appeal, Silver nailroot holds ecological significance. It contributes to the biodiversity of its native habitats, providing shelter and food for various insects and small animals. Its flowers, though inconspicuous, can support pollinators, playing a role in the intricate web of environmental interactions.

In summary, Paronychia argentea, or Silver nailroot, is much more than a plant with striking silvery foliage. Its historical documentation, extensive natural distribution, and adaptability make it a species of interest for both ecological studies and gardening applications. Whether in its native rocky terrains or cultivated in a garden, Silver nailroot stands out as a resilient and valuable member of the plant world.

Common Names

Spa: nevadilla de plata
Deu: silber-mauermiere, silbernes nagelkraut
Swe: prasselört
Eng: silver nailroot
En: Silver nailroot, Algerian Tea, Silvery Nailwort, Silvery Paronychia
Ar: بساط الارض (بِساط الأرض)، فرش الارض (فَرش الأرض), كريشه, داحسية فضية
Ca: Sanguinària blanca, Paroníquia argentada
Fi: Hopeavuohenpolvi
Fr: Paronyque argentée
De: Silbernes Nagelkraut, Silber-Mauermiere, Nagelkraut
He: אלמוות הכסף
It: Paronichia argentea
Pt: Erva-dos-unheiros, Erva-prata, Paroníquia
Es: Nevadilla de plata
Sv: Prasselört

Synonyms

• Paronychia polygonifolia var. elegantior (Maire)
• Paronychia argentea var. mauritanica ((Brouss. ex Willd.) DC.)
• Illecebrum italicum (Vill.)
• Paronychia argentea var. scabra (Sauvage)
• Paronychia mauritanica ((Brouss. ex Willd.) Rothm. & P.Silva)
• Paronychia argentea var. hispanica ((DC.) DC.)
• Illecebrum argenteum (Pourr.)
• Illecebrum narbonnense (Vill.)
• Paronychia glomerata (Moench)
• Paronychia hispanica var. oblonga (DC.)
• Paronychia hispanica var. frutescens (DC.)
• Paronychia hispanica (DC.)
• Paronychia nitida (Gaertn.)
• Ferriera mediterranea (Bubani)
• Paronychia argentea subvar. aristulata (Chaudhri)
• Paronychia argentea subvar. angustifolia (Chaudhri)
• Paronychia argentea var. rotundata ((DC.) Chaudhri)
• Paronychia hispanica var. rotundata (DC.)
• Paronychia saguntina (Pau)
• Paronychia italica (Schult.)
• Paronychia argentea var. montana (Pau)
• Plottzia paronychia ((L.) Samp.)
• Chaetonychia paronychia ((L.) Samp.)
• Illecebrum mauritanicum (Brouss. ex Willd.)
• Paronychia cuatrecasasii (Sennen)
• Illecebrum paronychia (L.)
• Paronychia argentea var. scariosissima (Post)
• Paronychia argentea var. suffruticosa (Maire & Wilczek)
• Paronychia argentea var. velutina (Ball)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Western Sahara (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 Dec 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 8, 2021 by Najeeb 1991 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Muñoz-Ramos Gregori (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 1, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 6, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2021 by Rubio Jesus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Muñoz-Ramos Gregori (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2019 by Micaela Ceballos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2021 by Wences (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 19, 2018 by Jean-Luc de Ochandiano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2021 by Nicole oriege (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Stéphane Thévenin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2020 by Malek Mebarki (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5528747)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:434984-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Paronychia argentea Lam.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 4