Sagina procumbens, commonly known as procumbent pearlwort or birdeye pearlwort, is a perennial herb native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. It is also found in South America. This plant typically inhabits moist, well-drained soils in a variety of settings such as grasslands, meadows, and rocky outcrops, as well as anthropogenic sites like lawns and pavement cracks. Sagina procumbens forms dense mats or clumps of hairless green foliage that can resemble moss, making it useful as a ground cover in gardens. The leaves are linear, up to 1 inch long, and the plant produces small, inconspicuous white flowers with four or five sepals and petals, though sometimes the petals may be absent. The flowering season extends from late spring to early summer.

Procumbent pearlwort is valued for its low-growing, mat-forming habit, which makes it an excellent choice for filling gaps between stepping stones, in rock gardens, or as a lawn substitute in shady areas. It requires minimal maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. It prefers partial shade but can also grow in full sun if kept moist. While it is not known for significant pest or disease problems, it can become invasive in some conditions, spreading rapidly and potentially outcompeting other plants. In cultivation, it is important to control its spread to prevent it from becoming a nuisance. On Gough Island, it is an introduced species that threatens the local ecosystem. In Scottish folklore, procumbent pearlwort was believed to have supernatural powers and offered protection against fairies, adding a touch of historical and cultural intrigue to its cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0