Spergularia rubra leaf1 (16210808835)

Descrission:

Description: Introduced, cool-season, annual or occasionally biennial, spreading to semi-erect herb to 20 cm tall. Leaves are whorled, narrow, almost cylindrical, and end in sharp points. Papery stipules are found at the junction of the leaf whorls and the stem. Flowerheads are cymes. Flowers (3-5mm wide) have 5 pinkish petals and 8 stamens. Fruit are eggishaped capsules; green & white striped when immature and brown when mature. Flowering is in spring. Occurs in thin pastures and on disturbed ground. Favours dry, sandy or gravely soil, especially where the groundcover is thin & fertility is low. Tolerates acidity. Little is known of its management, but is likely to provide only minimal amounts of feed due to its small size. To control, increase levels of desirable groundcover using grazing management, fertilisers and possibly lime. Date: 6 January 2015, 14:07. Source: Spergularia rubra leaf1. Author: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.