Distribution: Occurring chiefly west of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across much of North America to the Atlantic Coast.
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, wastelots, and other disturbed areas at low elevations.
Flowers: March-October
Origin: Introduced from Europe
Growth Duration: Annual
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Glandular-pubescent annual, the several stems ascending to erect, up to 6 dm. long.
Leaves several in widely-spaced whorls, narrowly linear, 1.5-4 cm. long and less that 1 mm. wide, light to dark green.
Flowers on long, slender pedicels in an open, terminal inflorescence; sepals 5, distinct, ovate, 2-3.5 mm. long; petals 5, white, equaling the sepals; stamens 10; styles 5, stigmas linear; ovary 1-celled.
Capsule opening at the tip by 5 valves opposite the sepals.
Publication: Sp. Pl. 1: 440. 1753.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Spergula arvensis in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.
WA Flora Checklist: Spergula arvensis checklist entry.
E-Flora BC: Spergula arvensis atlas page.
CalPhotos: Spergula arvensis photos.
USDA Plants: Spergula arvensis information.
