Family: Penthoraceae
ditch stonecrop
Kitty Kohout
Robert W. Freckmann
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)
Etymology: Penthorum: from pente for "five" and oros for "a mark," referring to order of fives of flower
Plants: erect, perennial, 6"-28" tall forb, simple or branched near the top
Leaves: alternate, sharply toothed, lance-like to elliptical, pointed at both ends
Flowers: green to white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide; inflorescence 3/4"-3" wide, flattish, terminal cluster (cyme) with stalked flowers seemingly from one side of the often curved, 2-4 branches; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: 1/5" wide capsule
Habitat: wet; shores, streambanks; in muddy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 6"-28" tall forb, simple or branched near the top
Leaves: alternate, sharply toothed, lance-like to elliptical, pointed at both ends
Flowers: green to white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide; inflorescence 3/4"-3" wide, flattish, terminal cluster (cyme) with stalked flowers seemingly from one side of the often curved, 2-4 branches; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: 1/5" wide capsule
Habitat: wet; shores, streambanks; in muddy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Lakeshores, pond and slough margins, banks of rivers and streams, marshes, ditches, sedge meadows, muddy swales in wet prairies, conifer swamps, lowland forests, low fields, wet areas along railroad tracks, even in wet gravel pits and moist soil pockets of rock outcrops; rarely in upland forests. Mostly south of the Tension Zone but with scattered occurrences northward. This is a distinctive native species with monochasial inflorescences, apetalous creamy white flowers, and follicle fruits (fused at their bases) that take on a reddish color during development.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Robert W. Freckmann
Hugh H. Iltis
Robert W. Freckmann
Hugh H. Iltis
Derek Anderson
Caroline A. Creevey
Aaron_Carlson
