''Arenaria paludicola'' is a species of flowering plant in the family
Caryophyllaceae known by the common names marsh sandwort and swamp sandwort. The plant grows in wet areas, such as
marsh and
bog
A bog or bogland is a wetland that accumulates peat as a deposit of dead plant materials often mosses, typically sphagnum moss. It is one of the four main types of wetlands. Other names for bogs include mire, mosses, quagmire, and muskeg; a ...
.
Distribution
It is native to the west coast of North America in
California, where it is known from only a few remaining occurrences in the
Central Coast of California
The Central Coast is an area of California, roughly spanning the coastal region between Point Mugu and Monterey Bay. It lies northwest of Los Angeles County and south of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and includes the rugged, undeveloped ...
region. It is a federally listed
endangered species
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...
in the United States. It is present in two native locations in
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County (), officially the County of San Luis Obispo, is a County (United States), county on the Central Coast (California), Central Coast of California. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 282, ...
, and it has been reintroduced nearby in
Nipomo and
Los Osos
Los Osos (Spanish for "the bears") is an unincorporated town and census-designated place (CDP) in San Luis Obispo County, California. Located on the Central Coast of California, Los Osos had a population estimated to be 16,533 in 2019.
Histo ...
.
[CNPS Inventory]
/ref> It is known from historical occurrences in Washington,[Flora of North America]
/ref> but it may have been extirpated from that state. The plant may still exist in northern Mexico,[ but these occurrences are unconfirmed.][
]
Description
This is a perennial herb which grows erect or trailing and draping over nearby plants and other objects for support. The slender stems are hairless and shiny, sometimes grooved, and approach 90 centimeters in maximum length. The stem has nodes at intervals and the nodes may root. Leaves are very narrow and lance-shaped.
The inflorescence is composed of a single white flower. The fruit is a toothed capsule containing up to 20 tiny brown kidney-shaped seeds. Threats to the survival of this species include the destruction and alteration of its wetland habitat, shrinking of the local water table, and human activities such as off-roading.Pacific Biodiversity Institute Profile
References
External links
The Nature ConservancyJepson Manual Treatment - ''Arenaria paludicola''''Arenaria paludicola''.
CalPhotos.
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4788951
paludicola
Flora of California
Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
Natural history of San Luis Obispo County, California
NatureServe critically imperiled species