Herniaria


Herniaria

 

a genus of plants of the family Caryophyllaceae. They are perennial and annual herbs with prostrate stems, entire leaves, and small blossoms in axillary clusters. There are approximately 30 species, found in Europe, North and South Africa, and Western Asia. There are five to six species in the USSR, found in the European USSR, in the Caucasus, Middle Asia, and Western Siberia. Rupture-wort (H. glabra) is widespread, growing in sandy places, dry meadows, and wastelands. Aboveground portions of the Hemiaria glabra are used in folk medicine as diuretics and astringents.