Tunicflower - Petrorhagia saxifraga

Description

A low growing, sometimes mat forming, much branched plant with masses of pale pink flowers and fine thin leaves.

Similar Species

Gypsophila muralis

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Habitat

It is usually encountered as a casual on walls, railway banks and roadsides having escaped from cultivation. It prefers dry or disturbed soils as it is easily out competed by more robust plants. 

When to see it

Flowering June to August or September.

UK Status

Just a scattering of records from across Britain.

VC55 Status

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Tunic-flower, Tunicflower
Species group:
flowering plant
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Caryophyllaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
07/08/2019 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
07/08/2019 (Calow, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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