Drymaria arenarioides

Species

Drymaria arenarioides Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schultes

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Common names

lightningweed, sandwort drymary, alfombrilla

Disseminule

seed

Description

Fruit a capsule, 15–25 seeded. Seeds strongly C-shaped, with ends touching and slightly overlapping; 0.4–1.2 mm long x 0.4–0.8 mm wide x 0.3–0.6 mm thick, with a broad dorsal groove. Seeds may assume atypical shapes due to crowding. Surface dull, light brown to brown, completely covered with minute puzzle-shaped tubercles. Hilum concealed on ventral surface. Embryo peripheral; perisperm semi-translucent.

Identification considerations

Seeds in the genus Drymaria vary considerably with respect to seed shape, color, and surface sculpturing. Sculpturing may be merely granular to very ornate, with tubercles of various shapes and outlines. Attention to these characters can aid in species determination. Seeds in the genus Silene generally have flat sides, with tubercles in regular rows that arise from variously shaped plates.

Distribution

Mexico

Habitat

dry areas, acid soils, hills and plains, stressed rangelands

General information

Drymaria arenarioides is a spreading perennial herb, up to 20 cm long. It invades rangeland, displacing desirable vegetation. Saponins in this plant are highly toxic to cattle, sheep and goats, resulting in major cattle losses in Mexico. While the plant is not documented in the U.S., it is spreading northward, reportedly to within one mile of New Mexico.