Oneflower Stitchwort (Minuartia uniflora)

The Oneflower Stitchwort (Minuartia uniflora) – also known by the common name Piedmont Sandwort - is one of several Minuartia sp. that may be found in Georgia and is the most common Minuartia sp. found in the Piedmont counties. The Appalachian Stitchwort (Minuartia glabra) is found in the northwestern counties in Georgia. Oneflower Stitchworts are annuals that grow on stone outcrops.

Next to the Elf Orpine (Diamorpha smallii), Oneflower Stitchwort is the most tolerant of little soil. Occasionally a few plants would be found growing in very little sand or soil. But, not being succulents, they grew better in slightly deeper soil.

Oneflower Stitchworts thrive in deeper soil. This photo shows Elf Orpine growing in the shallow soil at the margin of the dish garden; the Oneflower Stitchworts are growing luxuriantly in slightly deeper soil.

A closer view of a carpet of blooms.

A closer view.

It was difficult to see the individual plants with so many plants in full bloom. However, at Rock and Shoals Outcrop Natural Area in Athens-Clarke County, the Oneflower Stitchworts were just developing buds.

I spotted individual plants growing on a patch of Grimmia sp. moss.

A closer view of an individual plant clearly showing multiple stems with buds.

A closer view showing opposite leaves and developing buds.

Close up of an individual bloom.

Minuartia uniflora (Oneflower Stitchwort) is native to the southeastern states – North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. They are found in counties in the Piedmont area of Georgia.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Minuartia uniflora (Oneflower Stitchwort)
Compare with Minuartia glabra (Appalachian stitchwort)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Minuartia uniflora
Compare with Minuartia glabra

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Oneflower Stitchwort (Minuartia uniflora)
Compare with: Appalachian Stitchwort (Minuartia glabra)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Minuartia uniflora (Piedmont Sandwort)
Compare with Appalachian Sandwort (Minuartia glabra)

Related post:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index