Tidal Marsh/ Salt Marsh Sand Spurrey

COMMON NAME: Salt Marsh Sand Spurrey

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Spergularia marina

FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae

COMMUNITY: Tidal Marsh

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: Prostrate

FLOWERING TIME: June to mid September

FRUITING TIME: June to October

DISTRIBUTION: Quebec, British Columbia to Florida ~ Throughout coastal strip in NJ and Delaware Bay shore

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems prostrate or ascending, many stems branched ~ Leaves fleshy, linear ~ Flowers tiny white or pink ~ Fruit capsule opening with three parts

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 small trees.  Members of this family are found in temperate and warm regions. Latin caryophylum means “a clove” alluding to the clovelike scent of some carnations. Another member of this genus, Common Sandspurry (Sperularia rubra), has a diuretic effect and a liquid extract prepared from this plant was used in folk medicine to treat urinary tract conditions such as inflammation of the urinary bladder, painful urination, and kidney stones.

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.