Plants of
South Australia
Spergularia diandroides
Caryophyllaceae
Small Sand-spurrey,
Lesser Sand-spurrey
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Prior names

Spergularia sp. Andado (A.S.Mitchell 146)

Spergularia sp. Densely papillose (E.N.S.Jackson 2133)

Spergularia sp. 4

Common names

Small Sand-spurrey

Lesser Sand-spurrey

Etymology

Spergularia is derived from the genus Spergula, first used by De l'Obel for Sagina spergula which is now known as Spergula amensis, and probably derived from the Latinisation of Spergel, the German name of this plant or from the Latin 'spargo' meaning sow or scatter; referring to the discharge of seeds. Diandroides means resembling the species Spergularia diandra.

Distribution and status

Found scattered in the eastern side of South Australia, north of Port August, growing on damp sandy soils and salt pans, sometime associated with lignum swamps. Also found in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Native. Common in South Australia. Rare in Western Australia. Uncommon in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Common in New South Wales.
Herbarium regions: Lake Eyre, Gairdner-Torrens, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula
NRM regions: Alinytjara Wilurara, Eyre Peninsula, South Australian Arid Lands
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)

Plant description

Annual herb with slender taproot, decumbent branches arising from the base. Leaves obtuse often with a mucro, to 20 mm long and 1 mm wide, sparsely glandular-hairy. Inflorescence short spike covered in dense glandular hairs with many white (rarely pink or greenish) flowers on a stalk longer than the sepals. This species is very similar to Spergularia diandra which differ by its usually glabrous leaves with a caudate apex, slightly smaller inflorescence bracts, sepals, petals and capsules and smooth to slightly papillose seeds. Fruits are brown ovoid to sub-globular capsule to 3.5 mm long hanging down on a short stalk. Seeds are black narrow oblique-pyriform to trigonous seed covered in very densely blunt-papillose hairs, wingless Seed embryo type is peripheral.

Seed collection and propagation

Collect capsules that are maturing, fat and turning brown and contain hard dark seeds. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand or with a rubber bung to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Be very careful as the seeds are very small. Seeds should be hard and brown. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.