Spergula arvensis L.

Spergula species are annual, rarely short lived perennial herbs. Stem suberect, decumbent or ascending, much branched from the base, slightly angular or terete, glabrous or glandular pubescent. Leaves simple, opposite but apparently whorled, with about 8-16 leaves per cluster, and 2 clusters per node, linear or filiform, 1 veined, pubescent with white hairs throughout, petiole sessile, stipules 4 per node, triangular-ovate, small, deciduous. Inflorescence in dichasial cymes, terminal. Flowers bisexual, rarely unisexual, because of stamen abortion, actinomorphic, pedicel deflexed after flowering, again become erect, sepals 5, free, lanceolate, whitish green, margins scarious, densely pubescent outside, petals 5, free, ovate-orbicular, white, margin entire, apex rounded, nectarines present. Stamens 10 or 5, opposite to sepals, inserted from rim of hypanthium, filaments distinct. Ovary superior, unilocular, style 5, rarely 3. Fruit capsule, obovoid-globose, dehiscing with 5 valves or rarely by 3 valves, carpophores absent. Seeds many, reniform or subglobose, compressed laterally, finely papillate or smooth, marginal wings present.

Flowering class: Dicot Habit: Herb

Flowering and fruiting: Throughout the year

Spergula species flowers are complete, bisexual, i.e., with functional male (androecium) and female (gynoecium), including stamens, carpels and ovary. Pollination is entomophilous i.e., by insects, or cleistogamy i.e., by self or allogamy i.e., by cross pollination. Flowering/Fruiting: Almost throughout the year.

Seeds may be dispersed by autochory i.e., self dispersal, anemochory i.e., wind dispersal, zoochory i.e., dispersal by birds or animals, anthropochory i.e., dispersal by humans.

Annual herbs, about 10-70 cm tall. Stem erect or ascending, much branched from the base, slightly angular or terete, glandular pubescent with white hairs. Leaves simple, opposite but apparently whorled, with about 8-16 leaves per cluster, and 2 clusters per node, linear, appearing somewhat terete or chanelled beneath, about 10-40 x 0.5-1 mm across, 1 veined, fleshly, glandular hairy above, petiole sessile, stipules 4 per node, triangular-ovate, small, deciduous. Inflorescence in dichasial cymes, terminal. Flowers bisexual, about 4-7 mm across, rarely unisexual, because of stamen abortion, actinomorphic, pedicel slender, glandular pubescent, deflexed after flowering, again become erect, about 1-2.5 cm long, sepals 5, free, lanceolate-ovate, whitish green, margins scarious, densely pubescent outside, apex subacute, about 3.5-5 mm long, petals 5, free, ovate-orbicular, about 3/4th or as longer as sepals, white, margin entire, apex rounded, nectarines present. Stamens 10 or 5, opposite to sepals, inserted from rim of hypanthium, filaments distinct. Ovary superior, unilocular, style 5, rarely 3. Fruit capsule, ovoid-globose, about 4-8 mm long, dehiscing with 5 valves or rarely by 3 valves, carpophores absent. Seeds many, reniform or subglobose, about 1.5 mm across, compressed laterally, finely papillate or smooth, blackish grey, narrow marginal wings present.

Spergula species are susceptible to various insect pests, virus, and fungi, affecting leaves, fruits and roots.

Notes: Western Ghats, Naturalized, Native of Europe

Margins of shola forests and grasslands

Weed in cultivated places and hilly areas, altitude up to 2500 m.

Not evaluated (IUCN).

Used in folk medicine.