Σπεργκουλάρια η παραθαλάσσια
Etymology of Spergularia marina: The name of the genus, "Spergularia", comes from the Latin word "spargo", meaning "sow, scatter", and the suffix "-aria" means "pertaining to", hence, "pertaining to the scatter", referring to the discharge of seeds. Latin "marina" means "marine", referring to the place that it likes to grow - near the sea.
There are three Spergularia taxa in Cyprus, all species.
Spergularia marina is found in all the districts of the island but possibly not in Limassol. It is a plant that grows up to an altitude of 150 metres. Its flowering period is between February and June (sometimes it can last as long as until September).
How to identify Spergularia marina:
S. marina differs from Spergularia bocconei and Spergularia diandra because its petals are 3-4mm long and rose-purple or pink with white at the base, and the flowers usually have 2-5 stamens. Its leaves are 0.5-5cm long, diandra's are 1.5-3.5cm long, and bocconei's 1-4.5cm long.
S. diandra's petals are white to bright pink, the petal tips darker, and the flowers have 2-3 stamens, rarely more.
S. bocconei differs from Spergularia diandra in that the tips of the petals are not darker than the rest of the petals, and differs from Spergularia marina in that the petals do not have a white spot at the base.
