Arenaria serpyllifolia L.

Annual. Stems erect to ascending, 2–15–(30) cm tall; hairs eglandular, very short, backwardly curved. Lvs distant, lanceolate to ovate, acute, (1)–3–5-veined, with scabrid hairs, (2)–3–5 × (1)–2–3 mm. Infl. compact at flowering, elongating at fruiting. Bracts leaflike, herbaceous. Sepals 5, ovate-acuminate, 2–4 mm long, with scabrid hairs, 3–5-veined; midvein prominent; margin scarious. Petals 5, 1/2-⅔ length of sepals, narrow-elliptic, white, entire. Styles 3. Capsule flask-shaped, swollen at base, dehiscing by 6 short teeth, = or slightly > sepals. Seeds dark brown, tuberculate, 0.5 mm long; strophiole 0.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: (Sep.)–Nov.–Feb.–(Apr.)