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sandwort

Scientific Name: Arenaria

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Sandwort: A Versatile Groundcover

Sandwort is a common name applied to several plants belonging to different genera, including Arenaria, Minuartia, and Moehringia. These plants are often found in sandy soils and are prized for their low-growing habit and delicate white flowers.

Considerations for Pets

  • Some Sandwort varieties have narrow, spine-like leaves.

Considerations for Children

  • Some Sandwort varieties have narrow, spine-like leaves.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Common Name: Sandwort
  • Genera: Arenaria, Minuartia, Moehringia
  • Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
  • Synonyms: The text mentions Seaside Sandplant as a name used in the USA and Canada for Honckenya peploides (Sea Sandwort).
  • Arenaria stricta is Rock Sandwort.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Sandworts are found in various habitats, including sandy soils, rock gardens, alpine environments, and even old lead mine spoil heaps.
  • Arenaria rubra is commonly found in sandy heaths near the sea in Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.
  • Specific locations mentioned include Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico (for Twinflower Sandwort), Somerset (England) for Spring Sandwort, and Cwm (Wales) for Spring Sandwort.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Sandworts are typically low-growing herbs, often forming mats or cushions.
  • Mountain Sandwort (Arenaria montana) grows to about six inches tall and spreads about 12 inches wide.
  • They have narrow leaves and clusters of usually white flowers.
  • Corsican Sandwort (Arenaria balearica) forms dense mats of moss-like foliage.

Ecological Role

  • Marsh Sandwort is a California endangered plant species.
  • The sea Sandwort is a prostrate, fleshy, maritime perennial which creeps across gravely seashores.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Arenaria" comes from the Latin word "aren," meaning "sand," reflecting the plant's common habitat.
  • Pickled Sea Sandwort can keep any lurking vampires at bay.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Twinflower sandwort was observed in the Pecos Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico.