Genus Herniaria L. L. Sp. PI. ed. 1 (1753) 218; Gen. PI. ed. 5 (1754) 103; Herm., Rep. Spec. Nov. XLII (1937) 203. Fam: Caryophyllaceae Juss.
Genus: Herniaria L.
English Name: Ruptureworts
Description:
Perennial, rarely annual herbaceous plants with creeping stems. Small leaves opposite, sometimes above consecutive undeveloped because of one piece, with plate ciliates stipule. Blossoms bisexual or homosexual, five lobed or four-lobed, collected in dense testa-like or headed wheatear-like, side petals attached in the bosom of the leaves. Sepals 4 - 5, attached to the top of pot like torus. Petals 4 - 5, shorter than the calyx, filamentous or absent. Stamens 2 - 5. The bar well developed, short or missing. Stigma splitted. Ovary free, more or less deep in blossom bed, single station with one ovule. The fruit nut. Seeds black or blackish-brown, shiny, smooth.
Economic, significance. The species H. glabra L. and H. hirsuta L. contain glycosides, saponins, alkaloids and essential oil, thereby they are used in the medicine (drug Herba Herniariae). Have a strong diuretic effect. . . Table for determining the types
1. Calyx more or less naked. Leaves or bare absently ciliates, green ......................................................... 2. Naked ruptureworts - H. glabra L.
1* Calyx with streak stretched cloth. Leaves more or less fibrous, gray or gray-green ...................................................................................... 2
2. Sepals 4 ... 5 ................................................................................................................ Montenegrin ruptureworts - H. nigrimontium Herm.
2* Sepals 5 .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. At least 3 of the sepals of the top with one or more long, straight bristles .............................................. 4. X X X ruptureworts - H . hirsuta L.
3* Sepals on top without long straight setae .................................................................................................................................................... 4
4. Plant, growing in dense tufts. Internodes rarely exceed 5 mm. Blossom wheatear at the top of the stem .......................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... 1. Olympic ruptureworts - H. olympica J. Gay
4* The stem with widespread branches. Internodes usually longer than 5 mm. Blossoms arranged along the stem and its branches ........................ ................................................................................................................................................................ 3. Grey ruptureworts - H. incana Lam.
From: „Флора на НР България”, том III, БАН, София, (1967)
Herniaria is a genus of flowering plants in the pink family known generally as ruptureworts.[1] They are native to Eurasia and Africa but several species have been widely introduced to other continents. These are flat, mat-forming annual herbs.[2] The genus gets its scientific and common names from the once-held belief that species could be used as an herbal remedy for hernias.[3]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
References: „Флора на НР България”, том III, БАН, София, (1967), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Distribution in Bulgaria: (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) = conspectus&gs_l= Zlc.
SPECIES:
Herniaria incana Lam. - Gray rupterwort
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