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
-
Cultivating Local Farm Economies: Planning and Zoning for Agritourism
Published on March 10, 2022
-
2023 Making It In Michigan Barrier Buster Award: Hallstedt Homestead Cherries
Published on April 20, 2023
-
How to work constructively with townships workshop for Agricultural Producers and Ag Entrepreneurs
Published on February 19, 2021
-
MSU researcher awarded five-year, $2.5 million grant to develop risk assessment training program
Published on October 13, 2020
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.