SafePlants

Franklin's Sandwort (Arenaria franklinii)

Franklin's Sandwort, scientifically known as Arenaria franklinii, is a perennial subshrub or forb/herb that belongs to the pink family.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• Scientific Name: Arenaria franklinii Douglas ex Hook.
• Common Name: Franklin's sandwort
• Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Variety
• Synonym: Arenaria franklinii var. franklinii Douglas ex Hook.
• Alternative Scientific Name: Eremogone franklinii (Douglas ex Hooker) R. L. Hartman & Rabeler

Distribution and Habitat:

• Franklin's sandwort can be found in locations such as Nevada, Arizona, Washington and Idaho.
• It is often found in sand dunes. For example, Juniper Dunes area and near Frenchman's Coulee.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits:

• It is a low-growing, densely tufted perennial.
• It forms a mound of many short, upright stems.
• Branches are slender and brittle.
• Leaves are sessile (attached directly to the stem without a stalk), arranged in pairs, and lance-shaped, measuring approximately 1/3 to 3/4 inch in length.
• It is considered fairly attractive.

Ecological role

• The text indicates the plant is native to Oregon.

Quirky Facts:

• Franklin's sandwort seeds are conserved at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text mentions skippers interacting with the plant.

Further Information

• USDA PLANTS database
• Discover Life
• Dave's Garden
• Oregon Flora Project
• Kew's Millennium Seed Bank