Minnesota Wildflowers


or try: advanced plant search
Share |

Moehringia lateriflora (Bluntleaf Sandwort)

Plant Info
Also known as: Grove Sandwort
Genus:Moehringia
Family:Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, shade; woods
Bloom season:May - June
Plant height:2 to 8 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals

[photo of flower] Flower is ¼ to 3/8 inch across, 5 oval white petals and white stamens in a greenish center. A plant typically has 1 to 5 flowers.

Leaves and stem: opposite simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are 1 to 1½ inches long and 1/8 to ½ inch wide; generally elliptical with a prominent center vein, oppositely attached. The stem is very slender and delicate. The weight of the leaves and flowers keeps the plant low to the ground.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite
  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, May 2007 and 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Steve in Whitewater State Park
on: 2010-05-21 07:58:48

I only spotted a couple of these in Whitewater high above the river on south bluff. Ideal conditions with the bloom slightly wider than a half inch.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2010-05-21 10:41:36

I haven't seen it with flowers that large before, only up to about 3/8 inch. Soil conditions or other environmental factors probably have something to do with the size.

Posted by: Mark in Oakdale Nature Preserve
on: 2011-05-15 09:39:37

One small patch, blooming on 05/15/11

Post a comment

Note: All comments are moderated before posting to keep the riff-raff out. An email address is required, but will not be posted—it will only be used for information exchange between the 2 of us (if needed) and will never be given to a 3rd party without your express permission.

For info on subjects other than plant identification (gardening, invasive species control, edible plants, etc.), please check the links and invasive species pages for additional resources.



(required)




Note: Comments or information about plants outside of Minnesota may not be posted because I’d like to keep the focus of this web site on Minnesota. Thanks for your understanding.