Sagina apetala Ard.

Sagina species are annual or perennial herbs, usually caespitose or mat-like forming, stem prostrate or ascending, simple or much branched from the base, slightly angular or terete, glabrous or pubescent, rootstock slender. Leaves simple, opposite or rosette in some perennials, linear lanceolate to subulate, base slightly connate, margin entire, apex acute to mucronate tip or long apiculate, succulent or not, glabrous or pubescent, 1-veined, petiole sessile, stipules absent. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, few flowered cymes or solitary. Flowers bisexual, pedicel spreading or erect in fruit, bracts paired, foliaceous, sepals 4-5, free, distinct, lanceolate, margins scarious, apex acute, greenish to pinkish, petals 4-5, free, white, ovate-oblong to orbiculate, base minutely clawed or absent, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute, absent or deciduous in annuals. Stamens 4-10, filaments distinct, anthers 2-locular, dorsifixed, nectarines present. Ovary superior, unilocular, staminodes absent, ovules many, staminodes absent, style 4-5, alternating with sepals, stigmas 4-5. Fruit capsule, globose-ovoid, dehiscing by 4-5 valves to almost the length of capsule. Seeds many, reniform-globose, laterally compressed or plump, reddish brown, tuberculate or smooth, embryo marginal wings absent.

Sagina species flowers are complete, bisexual, i.e., with functional male (androecium) and female (gynoecium), including stamens, carpels and ovary; rarely unisexual. Pollination is entomophilous i.e., by insects, or cleistogamy i.e., by self or allogamy i.e., by cross pollination. Flowering/Fruiting: March-September.

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 4-12 cm tall, usually caespitose or mat-like forming, stem prostrate or ascending, much branched from the base, slightly angular, glabrous or glandular pubescent, rootstock slender. Leaves simple, opposite or in basal leaves in rosette, withering soon, cauline leaves, linear lanceolate to subulate, about 3-8 x 1-3 mm across, base slightly connate, margin entire, apex aristate, not fleshy, glabrous or ciliate, 1-veined, petiole sessile, stipules absent. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, solitary. Flowers bisexual, pedicel spreading or erect in fruit, bracts paired, foliaceous, sepals 4, free, distinct, ovate-oblong, margins scarious, apex acute, hooded, greenish to pinkish, glandular pubescent, spreading horizontally in fruit, petals 4, free, white, ovate-oblong, minute, base minutely clawed or absent, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute, absent or deciduous in annuals. Stamens 4, filaments distinct, anthers 2-locular, dorsifixed, nectarines present. Ovary superior, unilocular, staminodes absent, ovules many, staminodes absent, style 4-5, alternating with sepals, stigmas 4-5. Fruit capsule, globose-ovoid, about 2.5-3 mm long, dehiscing by 4-5 valves to almost the length of capsule. Seeds many, reniform-deltoid, about 0.2-0.3 mm across, grooved, laterally compressed, brown, honey combed or smooth, embryo marginal wings absent.

Sagina species are susceptible to various insect pests, viruses, root rots, powdery mildews and moulds.

Rocky and gravelly places, altitude up to 1200 m.

Not evaluated (IUCN).