Field madder
ExplorePlants
Field madder
Sherardia arvensis
Field madder is a small, pretty plant that grows in fields and meadows. It has tiny, star-shaped flowers that can be pink or white, and it loves sunny places!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Field madder is a low-growing plant with square stems and tiny, pale lilac to pink, four-petaled flowers often clustered at the stem tips. Its leaves are small, narrow, and arranged in whorls around the stem, giving it a somewhat prickly appearance compared to softer groundcovers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyRubiaceaeGenusSherardia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each little flower produces bristly seeds that stick to animal fur for travel.
Its scientific name, Sherardia, honors an English botanist, James Sherard.
Some say its root used to make a red dye, like its larger madder relatives.
This tiny plant is part of the coffee family, though it doesn't make coffee!
Special abilities
Ability
Ground Hugger
Field madder can grow close to the ground, allowing it to survive being trodden on and outcompete taller plants for light.
Ability
Endless Bloomer
Field madder has a long blooming season, helping it produce many seeds and increase its chances of successful reproduction.
Ability
Soil Surfer
Field madder can thrive in many soil types, which helps it colonize diverse environments and expand its range.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 5-40 cm
- Spread
- 10-50 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits its small flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Helps transfer pollen between Field madder flowers.
eaten by
Garden snail
Helix aspersa
Feeds on the leaves and tender shoots of the plant.
eaten by
Green peach aphid
Myzus persicae
Sucks sap from the stems and leaves, affecting growth.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick plants unless you have permission from an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Field madder?
5-40 cm
How wide does Field madder spread?
10-50 cm
How big are the flowers on Field madder?
0.2-0.4 cm
When does Field madder bloom?
Late spring to early fall
Is Field madder edible?
Yes
Is Field madder toxic?
None
What is Field madder's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Field madder pollinated?
Insect
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