Strange Caryophyllous (?) mountain plant

[JPB]

Hi all,

This one from the Spanish Pyrenees does not flower and apart from the seed-pots (Dianthus-like?) I saw in the field, I don't have a clue  
Leaves are thread-like with a deep longitudinal fissure. It grow at 2000 m and is fully hardy. See pics below.
Any clues are more than welcome!

Cheers,
Hans

[Lori S.]

Well, I have no idea really but there are some arenaria with grass-like foliage, for example, Arenaria capillaris or similar?

[fermi de Sousa]

One possibility is  Aphyllanthes monspeliensis   Family: Lilliaceae (Lily) 
cheers
fermi

[tonyg]

I have seen Aphyllanthes monspeliensis in the Pyrenees and I would say this is very likely what you have. Here is a link to a pic:
http://www.plantes-botanique.org/src/galeries/paca/aphyllanthes_monspeliensis_01.jpg
Google the name and pick the images result and you'll get a lot more pics.  Probably wants it hot!

[Anthony Darby]

Do you have any pics of the seed pods Hans?

[JPB]

Yes, I thought of Aphyllanthes, indeed it is very close, but the locality (moist alpine meadow at 2000m) does not fit and my plant has one deep furrow while Aphyllanthes has several, and less deep. Still very close to Aphyllanthes.... Also, I haven't found any Dianthus/Arenaria/etc. which comes close... I did not save the seedpods, unfortunately.

Thanks for your suggestions. It seems that only forcing it into flower will answer the question. But it hasn't flowered for three years now... We'll see; I let you know.

Hans