FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Sagina saginoides, Alpine pearlwort, Langkrækill

Sagina saginoides; The Alpine pearlwort is rather common. It is one of many white-flowered pink-family species. This species can be found in many habitats, except for marsh lands. It has the Sagina-characteristic needle like leaves. In comparison to other common Sagina's it has both light green foliage and 5 shiny petals. It forms loose mats. A very similar species is S. subulata (Heath Pearlwort) which can be found foremost in the coastal regions of eastern Iceland and western Iceland. This species has glandular flowering stems (pedicels) and calyx's.
It is a member of the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Langkrækill.