Minuartia glabra

Minuartia glabra, commonly called Appalachian stichwort,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). It is native to the eastern United States, where it has a scattered distribution.[2]

Minuartia glabra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Minuartia
Species:
M. glabra
Binomial name
Minuartia glabra
(Michx.) Mattf.
Synonyms
  • Arenaria glabra
  • Mononeuria glabra

Its natural habitat is areas of siliceous rock outcrops, which include granite, sandstone, gneiss, and schist. In the Cumberland Mountains, this species is a major component of sandstone glade communities.[3] Due to its narrow habitat requirements, this species is uncommon throughout its range.[4]

Minuartia glabra is a small, delicate annual. It produces white flowers in late spring and early summer.[5] It is similar to Minuartia groenlandica, which it was historically considered a variety of. It can be distinguished from M. groenlandica by its taller stature, annual habit, upright and not mat-forming growth, smaller petals, and flowers in greater number per cyme.[6] In addition, M. glabra is found in lower elevations than M. groenlandica.[7]

References

  1. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Minuartia glabra". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  2. "Minuartia glabra". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  3. Cumberland Sandstone Glade and Barrens NatureServe, accessed 23 January 2018
  4. Minuartia glabra NatureServe, accessed 23 January 2018
  5. Minuartia glabra Flora of North America
  6. Alan Weakley (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
  7. Minuartia glabra New England Wildflower Society
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