Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla
Long styled sand spurrey
Photo: parent species Spergularia macrotheca · (c) mel letterman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla (Long styled sand spurrey) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by long styles and perennial habit distinctive.
Long styled sand spurrey is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern California Coast Ranges and the Great Valley in alkaline marshes, mud flats, meadows, and hot springs at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering in spring, this plant produces delicate white flowers with petals nestled in calyx lobes 5 to 5.5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 30 centimeters tall, it forms low, sprawling clusters in wet, mineral-rich environments. Its leaves and stems create a fine, intricate mat with compact growth that allows the plant to thrive in challenging alkaline landscapes. The tiny seeds, measuring 0.8 to 1.2 millimeters, are produced in fruit slightly larger than the original calyx.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; long styles and perennial habit distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline marshes, mud flats, meadows, hot springs
Elevation: < 200 m
Bloom period
Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla blooms Spring.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Spergula: Spergularia has simple opposite leaves at nodes; Spergula has whorl-like clusters of 16-30 leaves per node.; vs Erodium: Spergularia has tiny pink/white flowers with round capsules; Erodium has purple flowers with long-beaked stork's-bill fruits.; vs Sabulina: Spergularia has fleshy leaves and triangular stipules; Sabulina has thread-like leaves without stipules.; vs Cakile: Spergularia has opposite fleshy leaves with pink flowers; Cakile has alternate fleshy leaves with 4-petaled mustard flowers.; vs Calandrinia: Spergularia has 5 tiny petals and triangular stipules; Calandrinia has 3-7 showy petals and no stipules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla native to California?
Yes. Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla bloom?
Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla blooms Spring.
What plant family does Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla belong to?
Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Spergularia.
Is Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla rare or endangered?
Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla grow in?
Spergularia macrotheca var. longistyla grows in Alkaline marshes, mud flats, meadows, hot springs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.