smooth rupturewort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• smooth rupturewort
• glabrous rupturewort
• green carpet
• smooth rupturewort
• Smooth Rupture-Wort
• herniary breastwort
• rupturewort
• smoother rupture-wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Herniaria ceretanica
• Herniaria glabra subsp. nebrodensis
• Herniaria glabra var. suffruticulosa
• Herniaria glabra var. parviflora
• Herniaria glabra var. vera
• Herniaria glabra var. atrovirens
• Herniaria glabra var. decipiens
• Herniaria kotovii
• Herniaria graebneri
• Herniaria glabra f. glaberrima
• Herniaria glabra subsp. rotundifolia
• Herniaria glabra subsp. microcarpos
• Herniaria suavis
• Herniaria corrigioloides
• Herniaria ceretana
• Herniaria glabra subsp. ceretana
• Herniaria vulgaria
• Herniaria glabra proles ceretanica
• Herniaria microcarpa
• Herniaria glabra var. guadarramica
• Herniaria rotundifolia
• Herniaria polymorpha proles glabra
• Herniaria arenaria
• Herniaria glabra var. magniflora
• Herniaria glabra var. glaberrima
• Herniaria glabra var. setulosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Caryophyllales and the family Caryophyllaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Herniaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. Within the Scandinavian peninsula, it can be found growing in both Denmark and Norway. Its presence also extends further north into the territories of Finland. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the British Isles, including Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define the documented range of Herniaria glabra in the northern reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Herniaria glabra is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and often disturbed environments, commonly inhabiting areas such as riversides, roadsides, sandy soils, and stony places. This species demonstrates a significant vertical distribution across varying altitudes, occupying an elevational range that begins at 900 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. Across its known distribution, the plant maintains an average elevational range of approximately 2075 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to a wide spectrum of montane and sub-montane ecological conditions.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2075 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

rivers, roadsides, sand, stony places

Life history

The life history of Herniaria glabra is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental periods through the production of resilient seeds rather than maintaining above-ground vegetative structures. Throughout its active growth phase, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green throughout its lifecycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Herniaria glabra is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than an epiphyte or parasite. In terms of stature, it is a low-growing species with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, with an average height of approximately 0.085 m. Regarding its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing tendencies such as those seen in vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.085 m

Plant height min:

0.01 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Herniaria glabra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. The plant exhibits specialized leaf morphology, with a mean leaf length of 0.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm) and a mean leaf width of 0.2 cm (ranging from 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm). These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 0.0755 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 199.25 cm²/g, reflecting its metabolic efficiency and leaf structure.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

0.7 cm

Leaf length mean:

0.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.3 cm

Leaf size mean:

0.0755 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.3 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

199.25 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Herniaria glabra is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that typically begins in July and concludes in August. The plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the reproductive process. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. The resulting fruit is categorized as an achene, which is characterized as a dry, indehiscent structure. These fruits are uniform in size, with a mean and consistent length of 0.2 cm. The seeds contained within are remarkably small, possessing a mean mass of 8.05e-05 g (ranging from a minimum of 5e-05 g to a maximum of 0.00012 g) and a consistent volume of 0.065 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant employs autochorous mechanisms to spread its seeds. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction through these specialized fruit and seed traits the primary method for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00012 g

Seed mass mean:

8.05e-05 g

Seed mass min:

5e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.065 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Herniaria glabra has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saponins, Narcissin.

Saponins

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. Therapie

Narcissin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Herniaria glabra has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Herniaria glabra has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arterial blood pressure, blood pressure, oxidative stress, urinary tract infections, wound healing.

Arterial blood pressure

1. Therapie

Blood pressure

1. Therapie

Oxidative stress

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Urinary tract infections

1. Urological research

Wound healing

1. FEMS microbiology letters

Preparations

Herniaria glabra has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Herniaria glabra saponins, extracts, saponins.

Herniaria glabra saponins

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Extracts

1. Urological research

Saponins

1. Therapie