Thyme-leaf sandwort
Arenaria serpyllifolia

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. Sometimes it takes 2 years to complete its life cycle. The stems are erect or curve upwards. It is 3-15 cm high. It branches at the base. The lower leaves have short leaf stalks. The upper leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaf blade is broad and oval. It is 3-6 mm long. It tapers to the tip. There are usually 3-5 veins. There are 5 sepals and 5 petals. They are white. The fruit is a capsule which is flask shaped. It is wider at the base. It splits open with 6 teeth. The seeds are about 0.5 mm across. They are lumpy and dark brown.

It is used in medicine. There are about 150-160 Arenaria species.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in mountain grassland slopes, sandy or stony barrens, fields, gardens between 600–4000 m altitude in many places in China. It grows in sandy places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Caribbean, Central Asia, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, South America, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Uruguay, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are used in soup.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Byeorukijari, Wu xin cai

Synonyms

Alsinanthus serpillifolius (L.) Desv.; Alsine serpyllifolia Crantz; Arenaria alpicola Beck; Arenaria leptoclados Gussone; Arenaria petiolata Hayata; Stellaria serpyllifolia (L.) Scop.; and others