Arenaria patula Michx.
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Authority
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.
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Family
Caryophyllaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Annual, usually much-branched at base, glabrous or minutely glandular- puberulent; stems slender, 1–2 dm, decumbent or erect; lvs mostly cauline, several pairs, 1–2 cm × 0.5–1 mm; infl open, often extending to below the middle; pedicels 15–30 mm; sep 4.5–6 mm, narrowly lanceolate, acute; pet white, 5–8 mm; fr equaling or shorter than the sep, lance-oblong, the 3 valves dehiscent to the middle; seeds gray-brown, low-tuberculate. Apr.–June. (Minuartia p.) Var. patula, occurring in rocky soil, barrens, and meadows, from Ind. and Minn. to Va., Ala., and Tex., has 5-nerved sep, and the seeds are 0.5–0.7 mm. Var. robusta (Steyerm.) Maguire, occurring on limestone slopes in Mo., Ky., and Tenn., has 3-nerved sep, and the seeds are 0.7–0.9 mm.