The Genus Arenaria

Prickly Sandwort, Needle-leaf Sandwort: Eremegone aculeata (Synonyms: Arenaria aculeata, Arenaria aculeata var. aculeata, Arenaria aculeata var. unitahensis, Arenaria fendleri var. aculeata, Arenaria pumicola var. californica) - Petals about 50% longer than the sepals. The sepals are ovate in shape and obtusely- or shortly acute-tipped. Lower leaves stiff, 1-2 cm long and sharply tipped! The 1-3 pairs of stem leaves are reduced in length, up to one-half the length of the lower leaves. The inflorescence is an open cyme.

Slender Mountain Sandwort, Thread-leaved Sandwort: Eremegone capillaris var. americana (formerly Arenaria capillaris ssp. americana) - Petals about 50% longer than the sepals. The sepals are ovate in shape and obtusely- to shortly acute-tipped. Lower leaves over 2 cm long and soft tipped. The 2-5 pairs of stem leaves are at least one-half the length of the lower leaves. The inflorescence is an open cyme.

Hybrid Sandwort: Eremegone capillaris x kingii var. americana -

Ballhead Sandwort: Eremegone congesta (formerly Arenaria congesta) - Petals about 50 % longer than sepals. The sepals are lanceolate to narrowly ovate in shape and acutely to acuminately tipped. Inflorescence typically tightly congested, although some varieties are more loosely cymose. Flower stems nearly leafless, the leaves very short.

Franklin's Sandwort: Eremegone franklinii (formerly Arenaria franklinii ) - Sepals as long as or up to 3 mm longer than the petals. Sepals lanceolate in shape and acutely to acuminately tipped. Flower stems very leafy, brittle and easily shattered.

King's Sandwort: Eremegone kingii var. glabrescens (formerly Arenaria kingii var. glabrescens) - Petals about 50% longer than the sepals. The sepals are broadly lanceolate and acutely to acuminately tipped. The inflorescence is an open cyme.

Thyme-leaf Sandwort: Arenaria serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia - European import. Sepals about 3 mm long, lanceolate with acute tips. Leaves lanceolate to ovate, 3-nerved and 3-7 cm long and 1.5-4 mm wide. Petals about 2/3 as long as the petals. Found in the Blue Mts. (near Meacham, OR) and Wallowa Mts. of northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington.