Citation: Thunb., Prod. Pl. Cap. 34 (1800).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Cape forget-me-not.

Description:
Annuals or biennials to 50 cm high, with one to several erect stems from a basal rosette, with a distinct tap root, covered with fine hairs of various length and usually with a broad base; leaves densely clustered, petiolate to sessile and usually oblanceolate in the basal rosette becoming widely spaced, sessile and lanceolate below the inflorescence, 4-25 x 0.8-2.5 cm, pointed, with an entire margin.

Inflorescence terminal, with 1 to many monochasia which are at times dichotomously branched and with almost sessile flowers densely arranged in 2 rows, with bracts as long as or shorter than the calyx; sepals half to two-thirds of their length connate, 4-5 mm long and scarcely elongating when fruiting, with lobes linear, obtuse; corolla narrowly funnel-shaped, blue with a white throat, glabrous except for pubescent saccate protrusions in the throat, 6-8 mm long; lobes broadly ovate, c. 3 mm long, with a rounded apex; stamens inserted just below the throat, with anthers sessile, linear-ellipsoid, c. 2 mm long, without appendages; ovary 4-lobed, with a style inserted near the base, c. 4 mm long, distinctly broadened towards the base and with a terminal capitate stigma.

Mericarps obliquely ovoid with a vertically keeled to winged ridge on one side, rugose and minutely tuberculate, pale-brown.

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

Distribution:  S.Aust.: FR, EP, SL, SE.   W.Aust.; Vic.   Native to the Cape Province of southern Africa. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Sept. — 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