FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Sagina nivalis, Snow Pearlwort, Snækrækill

Sagina nivalis; The Snow Pearlwort is one more example of the many white-flowered members of the pink-family on Iceland. It grows in rather moist environments, more common on higher altitudes. The petals are white, sometimes almost transperent, small and are 4 in number. The most characteristic feature though, are the purple/violet bands on the relative broad calyx leaves which also have membranous margins. The leaves are needle-shaped. The whole plant rarely exceeds more than 5 sm in height.
It is a member of the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Snækrækill.