Plants straggling and creeping, strongly rhizomatous, not forming clumps, without taproot. Stems: flowering-stems ascending, proximal 1/2 often purple-tinged, usually 25–30 cm, softly pubescent to subglabrous, glandular-hairs confined to inflorescences; nonflowering shoots well developed, producing obovate to oblanceolate, spatulate, overwintering leaves; small axillary tufts of leaves well developed, conspicuous. Leaves on flowering shoots often dimorphic; midstem leaves larger, blade lanceolate, 12–22 × 2.5–5 mm; proximal leaves oblong to linear, 5–15 × 0.5–2 mm. flowers: sepals 5–7 mm, with midrib, petals 10–12.5 mm, often turning brown when dried; anthers 1–1.1 mm. Capsules (8.5–) 9.8 (–11.5) × 3–4 mm, ca. 1.5 (–2) times as long as sepals. Seeds 0.7–1.2 mm. 2n = 72.

Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Lawns, cemeteries, roadsides, riverbanks, old pastures
Elevation: 0-1400 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), Ont., Que., Conn., Md., Mass., N.J., N.Y., w Europe

Discussion

Subspecies arvense is probably more widespread in North America than present information suggests, but identification of herbarium specimens can be difficult and uncertain. However, in the field the two subspecies are readily distinguishable because of the larger size of subsp. arvense and its strongly rhizomatous habit. Hybrids with C. tomentosum (which have been called C. ×maureri Schulze, an invalid name) are readily formed when the two taxa grow together (J. K. Morton 1973).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.

"(-2)timesaslongassepals" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property."-6timesaslongassepals" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.