Spergula morisonii Boreau

pearlwort spurry

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Forb/herb

Annual

Vascular

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This species was recently (2002) reported from Suffolk Co. (Lamont and Young 2004). Otherwise, this species has only been reported as part of the flora of Monroe County, New York (Beckwith et al. 1910). The latter report credits C. Vollertsen as first finding this species in fields in Rochester in 1897. Beckwith et al. (1910) give Spergula morisonii a catalogue number and state that, "Each species, variety, or marked form regarded as an established member of our flora is given a catalogue number. Those without numbers are not considered fully established." House (1924) questions the persistence of the occurrence in Rochester stating that it "was doubtless a casual adventive". Mitchell (1993) appears to have followed House's interpretation and states that an early report of this species was "as a waif in the vicinity of Rochester early in the 20th century".

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Not Native SNA (State Rank)

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