Taxon Report

Spergularia canadensis (Pers.) G. Don var. occidentalis R. Rossbach

western sand-spurrey

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Spergularia canadensis var. occidentalis, commonly known as western sand-spurrey, is a annual herb in the Caryophyllaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, growing at elevations from 0 to 3 meters. Spergularia canadensis var. occidentalis is ranked 2B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Spergularia canadensis (Pers.) G. Don var. occidentalis R. Rossbach
Common Name:	western sand-spurrey
Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Element Code:	PDCAR0W032
USDA Plants Symbol:	SPCAO
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	annual herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Aug	Jun-Aug
Elevation:	0-3 (0-10)
General Habitats:	Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.1
Global Rank:	G5T4
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.1 to 2B.1 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	4
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	3

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Humboldt (HUM)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Arcata South (4012471), Cannibal Island (4012463), Eureka (4012472), Fields Landing (4012462)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	5
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	2	50 %
Development	1	25%
Foot traffic/trampling	1	25%
Non-native plant impacts	1	25%
ORV activity	1	25%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	1	25%

Notes



Known in CA only from Humboldt Bay. Threatened by development. See Rhodora 42:116 (1940) for original description.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 30 September 2025].