Arenaria serpyllifolia

Arenaria serpyllifolia, commonly known as thyme-leaf sandwort, or thyme-leaved sandwort is an annual or biennial flowering plant in the pink and carnation family Caryophyllaceae that can be found from Nepal to Pakistan. It also have a wide distribution in the United Kingdom and southern Poland. It was introduced to Chile. The species is widespread in China.

Description

An annual herb. Sometimes it takes 2 years to complete its life cycle. The stems are erect or curve upwards. It is 3-15 cm high. It branches at the base. The lower leaves have short leaf stalks. The upper leaves do not have leaf stalks. The leaf blade is broad and oval. It is 3-6 mm long. It tapers to the tip. There are usually 3-5 veins. There are 5 sepals and 5 petals. They are white. The fruit is a capsule which is flask shaped. It is wider at the base. It splits open with 6 teeth. The seeds are about 0.5 mm across. They are lumpy and dark brown.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: The entire plant is used as a pot-herb.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are used in soup.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Antitussive Depurative Diuretic Dysentery Febrifuge The plant is antitussive, depurative, diuretic and febrifuge[. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of dysentery. It is also used in the treatment of bladder complaints, calculus troubles and acute and chronic cystitis.

Distribution

A temperate plant. It grows in mountain grassland slopes, sandy or stony barrens, fields, gardens between 600–4000 m altitude in many places in China. It grows in sandy places. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Caribbean, Central Asia, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, South America, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Uruguay, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seeds.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Notes

It is used in medicine. There are about 150-160 Arenaria species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Byeorukijari, Wu xin cai

References (16)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 97
• Flora of Australia Volume 49, Oceanic Islands 1, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra. (1994) p 92
• Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 6
• Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G., 1997, Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. Plant Protection Society of Western Australia. p 128
• Hwang, H., et al, 2013, A Study on the Flora of 15 Islands in the Western Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, Korea. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol. 6, No. 2 281-310

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