Spergula L.

2 species naturalized Aust.; all states and territories except NT

*Spergula arvensis L.

Erect to ascending, glandular-pubescent or almost glabrous annual 20–40 cm high. Leaves narrow-linear, channeled beneath, 1–3 cm long, apparently whorled; stipules minute. Flowers on slender pedicels in terminal leafless cymes; pedicels spreading or reflexed in fruit. Sepals 5. Petals 5, entire, white, ovate, nearly as long as the sepals. Capsule ovoid, slightly exceeding the calyx. Seeds black, c. 1 mm diam. Widespread. Weed of cultivated land. Almost cosmop. Fl. spring–summer. Corn Spurrey