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Field Madder, blue fieldmadder, Spurwort - Sherardia arvensis


Family: Rubiaceae - Madder family Genus Common Name: Sherardia Native Status: Introduced
Sherardia arvensis - Field Madder, blue fieldmadder, Spurwort. This is the only species in the Sherardia genus found in the United States. While the USDA Plants database does not list it as an invasive species, that is probably because of relatively low economic impact; it is clearly spreading.

The plant grows 4 to 16 inches tall, but will sprawl and form mats with the flowers only a few inches above the ground.

Found in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Sherardia arvensis

Distribution of Sherardia arvensis in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2011-April-21Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Field Madder has clusters of tiny flowers atop branches of a square stem. The branches form at the nodes of whorls of 4 to 6 lanceolate, sharply pointed leaves. The plant has a similar appearance to some Bedstraws.
Sherardia arvensis
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Sherardia arvensis initially published on USWildflowers.com 2011-05-19; Updated 2015-06-24

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302