Shrubs 30–70 cm; rhizomes often present. Stems procum­bent or ascending; thorns often absent, when present, usually relatively soft. Leaflets 1 or 3. Racemes lax. Flowers usually borne singly at nodes, (7–)10–20 mm; corolla pink or purple. Fruits 1 or 2(–4)-seeded, 5–8 mm. 2n = 30, 32, 60, 64 (Europe).

Phenology: Flowering early–late summer.
Habitat: Ruderal habitats, sandy seashores.
Elevation: 0–400 m.

Distribution

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Introduced; Md., Oreg., Pa., Wash., Eurasia, n Africa, introduced also in Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Until the early twentieth century, ballast for stabiliz­ing ships was usually soil taken from near berthing areas and discharged at ports where cargo was taken on. Sub­species maritima furnishes the principal seashore eco­types of the species, which accordingly have most often been taken up in ballast, collected for the most part on ballast deposits, and found growing as introductions in or near seashores.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.