Grey Rupturewort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Grey Rupturewort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paronychia pusilla
• Herniaria hirsuta subsp. cinerea
• Herniaria lenticulata var. fragilis
• Herniaria lenticulata var. virescens
• Herniaria cinerea var. diandra
• Herniaria hirsuta var. cinerea
• Herniaria cinerea subsp. euphratica
• Herniaria flavescens
• Herniaria diandra
• Herniaria hartungii
• Herniaria hirsuta var. hispida
• Herniaria virescens
• Herniaria annua
• Herniaria hirsuta var. hamata
• Herniaria annua var. virescens
• Herniaria cinerea subvar. laxa
• Herniaria cinerea var. fragilis
• Herniaria cinerea var. virescens
• Herniaria lenticulata var. diandra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, falling under the family Caryophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Herniaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Europe. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the territories of Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia border region. Moving toward the Mediterranean, the species is also found throughout various parts of Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it inhabits the islands of the Baleares and the island of Corse. Finally, its range extends across the mainland of France within the Southwestern European zone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Herniaria cinerea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal spectrum, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2000 m AMSL. This wide elevational range indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the species to adapt to various climatic gradients and temperature regimes. Typically found in disturbed or open habitats, its distribution is often associated with sandy or rocky substrates where it can exploit niches that require tolerance to fluctuating environmental conditions. The plant's presence across such diverse altitudes suggests it can manage the physiological stresses associated with both lowland heat and higher-altitude cooling, making it a resilient component of its respective ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Herniaria cinerea is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it follows a life strategy where the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions through highly resistant seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. This life form allows it to quickly colonize open or disturbed habitats, germinating, flowering, and setting seed rapidly before the onset of adverse seasonal changes.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Herniaria cinerea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, typically occupying terrestrial habitats with the capacity to thrive in aquatic or semiaquatic environments. This herb exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation, spreading across the ground in a self-supporting manner without the need for climbing structures like vines or lianas. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a maximum plant height of 0.4 m, while individual shoot lengths range from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Shoot length max:

15 cm

Shoot length min:

5 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Herniaria cinerea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The morphological aspects of its photosynthetic organs are defined by elliptic leaf forms that vary significantly in dimension. Specifically, the leaves exhibit a length range spanning from a minimum of 0.22 cm to a maximum of 1.1 cm, while their width is notably narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

1.1 cm

Leaf length min:

0.22 cm

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Herniaria cinerea is characterized by a specific flowering cycle and minute floral dimensions. The flowering period typically begins in February and extends through July, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces exceptionally small flowers, with a length ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.14 cm. The width of these flowers is similarly diminutive, measuring between a minimum of 0.14 cm and a maximum of 0.25 cm.

Flower length max:

0.14 cm

Flower length min:

0.1 cm

Flower width max:

0.25 cm

Flower width min:

0.14 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Herniaria cinerea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM OXALATE.

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. BJU international

Preparations

Herniaria cinerea has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, herbal decoction, infusion, plant decoction.

Extract

1. BJU international

Herbal decoction

1. BJU international

Infusion

1. Progres en urologie : journal de l'Association francaise d'urologie et de la Societe francaise d'urologie

Plant decoction

1. BJU international