T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Spurrey weed

Kingdom: Plantae 
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida 
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae 
Genus: Spergula 
Species: S. arvensis 
Binomial name Spergula arvensis
Common name: Spurrey weed.

Spurrey is an annual weed, often establishing in autumn and flowering in spring.. It is not a large weed, it can grow densely. It can also cause problems  by smothering emerging seedlings. It has seeds which can remain viable within the soil for many years.  Spurrey has sprawling stems, and leaves are very narrow structures which are gathered in clusters along the stem.  Spurrey has small white flowers which are clustered at the ends of stems.

Ground cover of Spurrey weed

Close up of a Spurrey flower
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