Sagina procumbens L.

Foodplant / parasite
hypophyllous telium of Puccinia arenariae parasitises live leaf of Sagina procumbens

During the spring, the foliage of Procumbent Pearlwort has a refreshing appearance. While the flowers are often produced abundantly and are rather large considering the small size of the plant, they are usually not very showy because of the small size or absence of the petals. Some authorities assert that the flowers have 4 petals that are about as long as the sepals, but this is often untrue. Frequently, the petals are deformed or missing in individual flowers, and they are usually much shorter than the sepals. Until recently, all Pearlworts in Illinois were lumped together as Sagina decumbens (Decumbent Pearlwort), but it is now recognized that there are at least 4 Sagina spp. (Pearlworts) in Illinois. These species can be divided into 2 groups

This native perennial plant is 2-8" long. It often forms a rosette of leaves, from which one or more stems develop. These stems are bright green, glabrous, and tend to sprawl across other stems or the ground. Pairs of opposite leaves occur at intervals along the stems. Each pair of leaves merge together and wrap around the stem, which is slightly swollen where each pair of leaves occurs. Each leaf is about ½" long and bright green like the stems. It is linear, glabrous, and smooth along the margins. The stems often terminate in either individual flowers or small cymes of flowers. Each flower is up to ¼" across when fully open, consisting of 4 green sepals, 0-4 white petals, 4 stamens with white anthers, 4 white styles, and a green ovary that contains the developing seeds. The sepals are oblong-ovate and persistent. The petals are usually shorter and more narrow than the sepals; they are often missing or poorly developed in individual flowers. The blooming period occurs from mid- to late spring and lasts about 1 month for a colony of plants. There is no noticeable floral scent. The ovary of each flower develops into an ovoid seed capsule that is white and membranous; there are 4 blunt teeth along its upper rim. Each capsule contains several dark tiny seeds that can be blown about by the wind. The surface of each seed is minutely pebbly. The root system consists of a slender taproot that is shallow and divides frequently into secondary roots. This plant spreads by reseeding itself and it often forms small colonies of plants with a mossy appearance.

Procumbent Pearlwort occurs occasionally in NE Illinois; it is rare or absent elsewhere. This species has a circumpolar distribution, occurring in both North America and Eurasia as a native plant. In North America, Illinois is located along the southern boundary of the range for this species. Habitats include sandy ridges in open woodlands, rocky open ground, and cracks between bricks and patio blocks. It can be found in either natural or disturbed areas where there is scant vegetation on the ground.