Spergula L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 154

22. Spergula L. 1

Annual (rarely perennial); stems ascending, often decumbent and much-branched at the base. Leaves linear, obtuse, decussate; stipules scarious, not united to surround the node; leaf-fascicles (short, leafy, lateral branches) borne on both sides at each node. Perianth 5-merous; sepals free, green, with scarious margins; petals white, entire; stamens 5-10; styles 5. Capsule ovoid to subglobose, dehiscing with 5 valves. Seeds often winged. 1 Root thick and woody; plant densely glandular-hairy (mountains of Spain) 4. viscosa

1 Root ±slender, not woody; plant glandular-hairy or not

2Seeds subglobose, keeled or with a narrow wing; leaves channelled beneath 1. arvensis

2Seeds compressed, broadly winged; leaves not channelled beneath

3 Seed wider than its brownish wing; petals ovate, obtuse, contiguous 2. morisonii

3 Seed as wide as its transparent, shining wing; petals lanceolate. acute, not contiguous 3. pentandra