Arenaria serpyllifolia, L.

33. A. serpyllifolia L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 423 (1753) View Cited Treatment .

A relatively robust, scabrid-puberulent, usually eglandular annual, rarely biennial; stems 3-30 cm, usually profusely branched at base, ascending or erect. Leaves 2-5-8 mm, broadly ovate to ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, 3- to 5-veined, the lower petiolate, the upper sessile. Flowers in diffuse dichasia; pedicels usually longer than sepals. Sepals 3-4- 5 mm, ovate-lanceolate or ovate, acute, 3- to 5-veined; the inner with a scarious margin, the central green part being j- i the width of the sepal; petals as long as sepals, white. Capsule slightly exceeding sepals, less than twice as long as wide, broadly ovoid-conic, distinctly swollen at base. Seeds 0-45- 0- 7 mm. 2/i = 40. Dry, usually sandy places. Almost throughout Europe. All except Az Fa Is Sb.

Plants from dunes on the Atlantic coast of Europe with very dense inflorescences and pedicels shorter than the sepals are var. macrocarpa Lloyd.