The
photo at right shows the calyx, underside of the petals and stem with its narrow
stem leaves of sand spurry as seen on the southeastern slopes of Mt. Adams (about
4100')........June, 2005.
Sand spurry is a weedy annual that may overwinter in some locations with many lax to ascending stems branched from the base and arising from 4-20 cm high. The stems and leaves are mostly glabrous, although some minute, glandular hairs may be present. The linear leaves are minutely spine-tipped with large stipules and measure from 10-18 mm long and about 1 mm wide.
The sepals are lance-oblong in shape and covered with minute glandular hairs. They measure 3-4 mm long and also have white-membranous margins. The pink petals are shorter than to about equal in length to the sepals. 5-10 stamens are present.
A weedy species, sand spurry may commonly be found in gardens and sandy or dry waste areas and disturbed places.
Originally an European species, sand spurry is now widespread over much of North America.