Citation: Bieb., Fl. Taur.-Caucas. 1:123 (1808) subsp. arvensis.

Synonymy: Lycopsis arvensis L., Sp. Pl. 139 (1753). , Anchusa arvensis

Common name: Wild bugloss, (small) bugloss.

Description:
Annuals or biennials, with 1 to few erect branches to 60 cm high, with leaves of the basal rosette often withered at the flowering stage, with a distinct tap root, covered with coarse spreading hairs of various length and usually with a broad base; leaves densely clustered, petiolate and usually linear-oblanceolate in the basal rosette, becoming widely spaced, sessile and oblong to oblong-lanceolate below the inflorescence, 2.5-15 x 0.3-1.8 cm, usually obtuse or rounded, with an undulate-dentate margin.

Inflorescence terminal, with 1 to several monochasia but usually once dichotomously branched at the base; with flowers almost sessile and more or less densely arranged in 2 rows, with bracts as long as the calyx at least in the flowering stage; sepals scarcely connate at the base, 3.5-5 mm long or to 12 mm when fruiting, with lobes lanceolate, acute; corolla almost cylindrical but curved, blue rarely white, glabrous except for saccate protrusions in the throat, 7-9 mm long; lobes broadly ovate to almost orbicular, 3-5 mm long, with a rounded apex; stamens inserted in about the middle of the corolla tube, with anthers subsessile, ellipsoid, c. 1.5 mm long, pointed but without appendages; ovary 4-lobed, with a style inserted near the base, c. 2.5 mm long, distinctly broadened towards the base and with a terminal capitate stigma.

Mericarps obliquely ovoid, with a vertical keeled ridge on the one side, rugose and minutely tuberculate, brown.

	Habit, flower and mericarps in three views.
Image source: fig. 532A in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Ross-Craig (1965) Drawings Brit. Pl. 21:pl. 6.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: EA, MU, SE.   N.T.; N.S.W.; Vic.   Native to mainly western Europe. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — Feb.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available