Spergula arvensis

Spergula arvensis, the corn spurry, stickwort, starwort or spurrey, is a species of plant in the genus Spergula. It is an annual plant which is native to Europe, Macaronesia, Siberia, northwestern India, northwestern Africa, and the highlands of eastern tropical Africa. It is considered a cosmopolitan agricultural weed, and has been introduced to the Americas, Southern Africa, and parts of Asia.

Description

An annual herb. The plant grows up to 50 cm high. The stems are erect but often bend at the nodes. The leaves are narrow and somewhat fleshy. There is a long furrow on the lower side. This is covered with hairs. The leaves occur in rings. The flowers have fine white petals. The seeds are black and slightly flattened. The seed can stick to the hands when damp.

Edible Uses

Young leaves and plants are edible, though no preparation details are given. The seed can be cooked — dried and ground into a meal, it can be mixed with flour for making bread and similar foods. The seed is rich in oil but contains saponins, so some caution is advised. It is regarded as a famine food, used only when other options are unavailable.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are used for bread flour. The oil is used in margarine and cheese.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant has been used as a diuretic.

Known Hazards

The seed, and probably also the leaves, contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Distribution

It grows in subtropical and warm temperate places. It often grows on acid soils. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, East Africa, Europe, Falklands, Finland, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Sikkim, South America, SW Asia, Sweden, Tasmania, Uruguay, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Prefers a sandy lime-free soil and a sunny position. A calcifuge plant, requiring a neutral to acid soil. The flowers are only open in the morning.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring or autumn in situ. In the wild, some seed germinates in autumn while the remainder germinates in spring.

Other Uses

None known

Other Information

A famine food.

Notes

There are between 20 and 60 Spergularia species. There are 9 in Australia.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Anamoka, Asperge, Da zhua cao, Esparguta, Khandidal, Kharika arxa, Maleza arvense, Muchmuchia, Sand Spurrey, Toadflax

References (21)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 591
• Curtis, W.M., 1956, The Students Flora of Tasmania Vol 1 p 70
• Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 56
• Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 629
• 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 130

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