Citation: DC., Mém. Mus. His. Nat. Paris 7:244, 250 (1821).

Synonymy: Vella annua L., Sp. Pl. 641 (1753).

Common name: Wards weed.

Description:
Herb, erect, 5-40 cm tall, hispid with setiform deflexed hairs; leaves petiolate, bi-to tripinnatisect, the lobes linear-obtuse.

Sepals 4-4.5 mm long; petals 8-9 mm long, yellow, with purple veins; style leaf-like.

Silicula 6-7.5 mm long; beak 3.5-4 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, sterile, compressed, leaf-like; valve region subglobular, 3-4 mm wide, 3-veined, veins hairy; seeds globose, 1-1.5 mm long, 3-4 per locule.

	Carrichtera annua twig and fruit.
Image source: fig 212c in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Orchard (1946) J. Dept Agric. S. Aust. 50:177; Hewson (1982) Fl. Aust. 8:fig. 48K-O.

Distribution:  Weed of semi-arid regions, less common in wetter regions. S.Aust.: NW, LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL.   W.Aust.; N.T.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   native to the Mediterranean region. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: June — Oct.

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