Procumbent pearlwort

Short Description

The procumbent pearlwort is very unremarkable and can grow to a maximum height of 15 cm.

The leaves are very small, linear and sometimes slightly fleshy. They have a spiny tip. They sit either in a rosette directly above the ground (basal) or opposite each other on the stem.

The stem grows prostrate and ascends at the end. It is glabrous.

The inconspicuous flowers have four white petals and four green, clearly larger sepals. The petals often fall off early or are missing completely.

The fruits are egg-shaped, green capsules. They contain triangular, brown seeds.

In the city

The procumbent pearlwort prefers moist and lime-poor soils. It tolerates salt, compaction and foot traffic very well and is therefore very common in the city. It is found in fields, gardens, in pavement cracks and along paths and pavement edges.

The very small seeds stick to damp shoes and car tyres and are thus carried by humans over long distances.