Knawel – Scleranthus annuus
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EmailScleranthus annuus L.
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)
MI Status
Non-native
Life cycle
Prostrate, mat-forming summer or winter annual.
Leaves
Opposite, very narrow and linear, grayish green leaves with sharp points resemble pine needles or grass leaves. Leaves are joined at the nodes by a translucent membrane.
Stems
Grayish green, prostrate and spreading stems with numerous branches can form dense mats.
Flowers and fruit
Spiny, green, or rarely whitish flowers are formed in clusters in the leaf axils. Flowers are generally not distinguishable. Egg-shaped, capsule-like fruit contains one seed.
Reproduction
Seeds.
Similar weeds
Birdseye pearlwort
(Sagina procumbens L.)
Differs by having a perennial nature with spreading stolons; bright green foliage; more distinguishable, small white flowers; and fruit that are persistent capsules with many seeds.
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