Sagina maxima A. Gray subsp. maxima
coastal pearlwort (stickystem pearlwort)
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
coastal pearlwort (stickystem pearlwort)
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Map
Distribution of Sagina maxima subsp. maxima
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Species Information
General:
Biennial or perennial herb from a taproot and branching stem-base; forming clumps to 20 cm across; stems decumbent to erect, several, branched, glabrous or sometimes very sparsely glandular-hairy above, 2-12 cm tall/long.
Leaves:
Basal leaves succulent, linear, 1-3 cm long, up to 2 mm wide, 1-nerved, glabrous, in rosettes; stem leaves succulent, opposite, 2-6 pairs, linear, 5-15 mm long, often with fascicles of secondary leaves in their axils; stipules lacking.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of erect, solitary, terminal or lateral flowers; petals 5, oblong, white, 1.5-2.5 mm long, sometimes lacking; sepals 5, greenish, egg-shaped, 2.5-3.5 mm long.
Fruits:
Capsules broadly egg-shaped, 3-5 mm long, 4- to 5-valved; seeds about 0.5 mm long, smooth to slightly pebbled, reddish-brown, shiny.
Notes:
Two subspecies occur in BC:
1. Plants glandular above..................... ssp. maxima
1. Plants glabrous...................... ssp. crassicaulis (S. Wats.) Crow
Habitat and Range
Mesic to dry rocky or sandy bluffs and gravelly beaches in the lowland zone; common in coastal BC; amphiberingian, ssp. maxima ranges S to N WA and ssp. crassicaulis N to AK and S to CA.Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Sagina crassicaulis var. littoralis (HultTn) HultTn
Sagina littoralis HultTn
Sagina maxima var. littorea (Mack.) H. Hara