Ontario Weeds: Thyme-leaved sandwort
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Excerpt from Publication 505, Ontario Weeds,
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Table of Contents
- Name
- Other Names
- Family
- General Description
- Stems and Roots
- Leaves
- Flowers and Fruit
- Habitat
- Similar Species
- Related Links
Name: Thyme-leaved sandwort, Arenaria
serphyllifolia L.,
Other Names: Sandwort, sabline à
feuilles de serpolet, sabline à feuilles de thym
Family: Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)
General Description: Annual or more
frequently winter annual, reproducing only by seed.
![]() Thyme-leaved sandwort (A - portion of a plant, top view; B - portion of a plant, side view). |
![]() Thyme-leaved sandwort. |
Leaves: Small, opposite (2 per node), stalkless, slightly rough-hairy, ovate with a pointed tip, 4-8mm (1/6-1/3in.) long and usually shorter than the length of stem between pairs;
Flowers & Fruit: Flowers very small, 2-3mm (1/12-1/8in.) long, greenish (the tiny white petals too small to show), on very slender stalks up to 10mm (2/5in.) long in branching inflorescences; seedpod ovoid, about 3mm (1/8in.) long, opening at the tip and releasing many, extremely fine (0.5mm, 1/50in. in diameter) seeds. Flowers from late spring to late summer but is dry, shriveled, and virtually gone by fall at which time the tiny new seedlings are appearing.
Habitat: Thyme-leaved sandwort occurs throughout Ontario in dry sandy soils. It is most common in fall rye and winter wheat where its winter annual habit is an advantage; but it also occurs in spring-sown crops, gardens, roadsides, orchards, sandy beaches and in rocky places.
Similar Species: It is distinguished by its bluish-green appearance, very small leaves, slightly rough stems and leaves, and tiny greenish flowers.
Related Links
... on general Weed
topics
... on weed identification, order OMAFRA
Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
... on weed control, order OMAFRA
Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control
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