SafePlants

Hilly Sandwort (Arenaria benthamii)

Arenaria benthamii, commonly known as hilly sandwort, is a forb/herb belonging to the pink family (Caryophyllaceae).

Considerations for Pets and Children

• The text mentions the plant being "fine-taprooted" and having small parts, suggesting the potential for ingestion, especially by curious pets or children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Arenaria benthamii Fenzl ex Torr. & A. Gray
• Common Name: Hilly Sandwort
• Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
• Synonym: USDA Symbol: ARBE
• Taxonomic Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

• The plant is native to the United States.
• Specific locations mentioned include Louisiana (LA), Oklahoma (OK), and New Mexico (NM).
• It has also been found in Arizona.
• It grows in cracks in Edwards Limestone.

Morphological Characteristics

• Arenaria benthamii is an annual plant.
• It is fine-taprooted with one to several stems at the base.
• It has a divaricately branched canopy.
• The stems can be ascending to spreading.
• Adult plants can reach up to 75 cm in height.
• It is not an evergreen and assumes a white coloring during the summer.
• Features showy white flowers that bloom from early spring to mid-summer.

Ecological Role

• Hilly sandwort is a common species of the Arbuckle Plains.
• It is associated with species such as shooting star and nodding ladies&#39-tresses.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text notes that hilly sandwort is found alongside pincushion cactus.

Further Information

• USDA Plants Database (Symbol: ARBE)
• Discover Life
• Catalogue of Life (3rd January 2011)
• ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)
• NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) Taxonomy (C1214213)
• Wildflowers.org
• Species.wikimedia.org