Hairy Sand-spurrey

Scientific Name:

Spergularia villosa

Other Common Name:

Previously known as Spergularia sp. 2 in Victoria.

Status:

Native of Chile but introduced to other parts of South America, California, Oregon, Mexico and into Central Victoria and the Mt Lofty Ranges of South Australia.

Plant Description:

Perennial with a thick woody rootstock. Stems usually spreading along the ground before rising. Leaves fleshy, linear, 0.4-0.8 mm wide and 10-25 mm long, hairy and prominently awned. Flowers white with 8-10 stamens and shorter than the 4-5.5 mm sepals when in fruit. Capsules longer than the sepals and contain, generally winged, red-brown to dark brown, rather smooth seeds, 0.4-0.6 mm long.

Habitat:

Scattered in non-saline swamps, waste areas and roadsides.

Region	Salinity Class	Waterlogging Class
Central and Northern	S0, S1	W1, W2

Comments:

Similar to Spergularia media but distinguished by its smaller seeds and prominently awned leaves. A number of Sea- or Sand-spurrey species occur in Victoria and can be difficult to tell apart. A simplified key to Spergularia species can be accessed here – Key to species.

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