Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Montiaceae Raf.
Genus
Montia L.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Montia fontana L., Sp. Pl. 87 (1753)
Vernacular Name(s):
Blinks; Blinkswater chickweed; Dwarf montia
 Description

Annual or perennial. Stems slender, weak, decumbent, not rooting at nodes, (1)–5–50 cm long. Lvs opposite, spreading, linear-oblanceolate to obovate-spathulate, acute, (5)–10–20–(25) × (1)–2–5 mm, cuneately narrowed to slightly sheathing base. Fls axillary, solitary or in 2–3–(5)-flowered cymes. Bracts obovate-subulate, scarious, 1–2 mm long. Sepals suborbicular, 1.5–2 mm long. Petals greenish white, obovate, 2–3 mm long. Anthers introrse, white. Capsule globose, slightly > calyx. Seeds 3, ovoid, black with white aril, either smooth and shiny or tuberculate and dull, 0.9–1.4 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
Number of subspecific taxa in New Zealand within Montia fontana L.
CategoryNumber
Indigenous (Non-endemic)1
Exotic: Fully Naturalised1
Total2
 Phenology

Flowering: Aug.–Oct.–(Nov.); Fruiting: (Aug.)–Sep.–Nov.–(Dec.)

 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.