Knawel – Scleranthus annuus
Print
EmailScleranthus annuus L.
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)
MI Status
Non-native
Life cycle
Prostrate, mat-forming summer or winter annual.
Leaves
Opposite, very narrow and linear, grayish green leaves with sharp points resemble pine needles or grass leaves. Leaves are joined at the nodes by a translucent membrane.
Stems
Grayish green, prostrate and spreading stems with numerous branches can form dense mats.
Flowers and fruit
Spiny, green or rarely whitish flowers are formed in clusters in the leaf axils. Flowers are generally not distinguishable. Egg-shaped, capsulelike fruit contain one seed.
Reproduction
Seeds.
Similar weeds
Birdseye pearlwort
(Sagina procumbens L.)
Differs by having a perennial nature with spreading stolons; bright green foliage; more distinguishable, small white flowers; and fruit that are persistent capsules with many seeds.
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.