Spergula arvensis
Spergula morisonii
corn-spurrey, corn-spurry, spargoute des champs, starwort, stickwort
Morison's spurrey, Morison's spurry
usually branched proximally, 10–50+ cm.
often branched proximally, 5–35 cm.
blades usually appearing terete, 1.5–3(–5) cm, margins often revolute, forming abaxial channel.
blades usually flat, 0.3–1.5(–2) cm, usually not channeled abaxially.
erect to ascending, reflexed, secund in fruit.
erect to ascending, spreading or sometimes reflexed in fruit, sometimes secund.
sepals 3.5–5 mm;
petals ovate, 3/4–1 times as long as sepals in flower, apex obtuse;
stamens usually 10.
sepals 3–4 mm;
petals ovate, 2/3–7/8 times as long as sepals in flower, apex obtuse;
stamens usually 10.
valves 3.5–5 mm.
valves 3.5–6 mm.
sometimes keeled or winged, subglobose, 1–1.1 mm wide, surface minutely roughened or obscurely low-tuberculate (50x), covered with white, club-shaped papillae in part or throughout (packing of seeds in capsule may prevent papillae development in spots), wings white, ± 0.1 mm wide.
winged, lenticular, 0.9–1 mm wide, surface minutely roughened or low-tuberculate (50x), with marginal ring of tan, club-shaped papillae;
wings light brown to brownish black, 0.2–0.3 mm wide.
= 18, 36 (both Europe).
= 18 (Europe).
Spergula arvensis
Spergula morisonii
Spergula arvensis is often a significant weed in sandy crop lands, but it is sometimes used as a forage crop in areas with poor, sandy soils; it was intentionally introduced to Crawford County, Michigan, in 1888 (O. Clute and O. Palmer 1893). Historical collections are known also from Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, where Spergula arvensis may have been introduced but apparently did not persist.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Spergula morisonii was first reported for North America from New Jersey in 1966; the earliest collections date from 1917 (D. B. Snyder 1987). It should be expected elsewhere in the flora area; the collections from Maryland and Massachusetts date from 2002 and 2000 respectively, with the Maryland population described as including “thousands of plants” (B. W. Steury 2004).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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