Sandwort, Red sandspurry
Spergularia rubra

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

Spergularia rubra is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Open gravelly or sandy habitats. Sand dunes, heaths and coastal cliffs.

Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to N. Africa and Asia. N. America,

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed - cooked. Dried and ground into a meal then used with flour for making bread etc. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves are diuretic and lithontripic. The plant contains a resinous aromatic substance that is probably the active principle. An infusion is thought to relax the muscle walls of the urinary tubules and so it is used in the treatment of kidney stones, acute and chronic cystitis and catarrh of the bladder.

Lithontripic: Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

This plant is often found growing in paving crevices and other impoverished niches in the garden. It is a calcifuge plant, requiring neutral to acid soils.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Some seed germinates in the autumn in the wild while some germinates in the spring.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arenaria campestris. Arenaria rubra. Buda rubra.