Edge/ Knawel

COMMON NAME: Knawel

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Scleranthus annuus

FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Eurasia

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: Low, spreading

FLOWERING TIME: Late April to October

FRUITING TIME: May to October

DISTRIBUTION: Quebec to South Carolina and west to Wisconsin ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Flowers compact, terminal and auxiliary clusters ~ Leaves linear, opposite ~ Diffusely forking stems

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Caryophyllaceae) commonly called the Pink or Carnation Family consists of 89 genera and 2,070 species of herbs, shrubs and a few trees found in temperate and warm climates.  Latin caryophlum means “a clove” alluding to the clove-like scent to some carnations. Knawel is the only plant in this genus (Scleranthus). Knawel is a weed of disturbed ground, dry or sandy soil.  It can be found along roadsides, waste fields or yards.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.