This delicate-looking spring perennial plant produces clusters of small tube-shaped flowers that are mainly pollinated by small bees and day-flying moths. There are two different flower forms. Some have long fertile styles with shorter non-fertile stamens, and others have long fertile stamens with shorter non-fertile styles. For pollination to be effective, insects must visit both flower types.

Flower Colour:

• White

Flowering Season:

• Spring
• Summer
• Fall

Flowering Months:

• August
• July
• June
• May
• September

Canadian Rarity Status:

Not rare. Listed as “may be at risk” in Alberta and Quebec.

Physical Appearance:

Plants have several branching, 4-sided stems that grow 9-25 cm tall. A rosette of basal leaves withers before flowers bloom. The stem leaves are opposite and linear to lance-shaped, with smooth edges and one vein. Flowers are arranged in small flat-headed clusters. Each tube-shaped flower has four spreading lobes, a hairy throat, and a green calyx with four teeth. Fruits are capsules that split open at the top to release several small black seeds.

Similar Species:

Pale Comandra, Northern Bedstraw, Sea Milkwort (Glaux maritima L.)

Gardening Notes:

Seeds and/or plants may be available from greenhouses and seed supply companies specializing in native plants. Plants are easy to cultivate and adapt well to rock gardens.

Canadian Distribution:

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

Prairie Types:

• Fescue Prairie
• Tall Grass Prairie

Habitats:

• Dunes
• Forests
• Prairies
• Rocky Outcrops

Moisture Conditions:

• Dry

Light Preference:

• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Soil Preference:

• Gravel
• Sand