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King's sandwort
Scientific Name: Arenaria kingii
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
King's Sandwort
Learn about the fascinating King's Sandwort, a delicate perennial wildflower found in the western United States.
Considerations for Pets
- The leaves of King's Sandwort are described as needle-like.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Eremogone kingii (S. Watson) Ikonn.
- Common Names: King's Sandwort, King's Arenaria, Kings Sandwort
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
- Order: Caryophyllales
- Genus: Eremogone
- Subspecies: Arenaria kingii (S. Watson) M.E. Jones subsp. kingii
- Variety: Eremogone kingii var. glabrescens (S. Watson) Dorn (formerly Arenaria kingii var.)
- Synonyms: Arenaria kingii (S. Watson) M.E. Jones
- Alternative Scientific Names: Arenaria kingii compacta
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the west and southwest USA, often found at high elevations (e.g., 10,400ft between Wasco and Zee Lakes)
- Observed in locations such as the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in Inyo National Forest, White Mountains, California.
- Also present east of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington.
Morphological Characteristics
- Perennial subshrub or forb/herb, typically growing up to twelve inches in height.
- Forms lush clumps with small white flowers that appear to float on long, slender stalks.
- Features a woody base with a tuft of needle-like, evergreen leaves.
Quirky Facts
- The plant is named after Clarence King, a geologist, mining engineer, and the first Director of the United States Geological Survey.