Citation: Raf., Med. Repos. hex. 2, 5:361 (1808).

Synonymy: E. adenocaulon Hausskn., Oesterr. Bot. Zeitschr. 29:119 (1879).

Common name: None

Description:
Perennial or often only annual, to 80 cm high, more or less branched, glabrous except for a few coiled hairs on the decurrent ridges from the petiole at the base but becoming more hairy on the inflorescence; leaves opposite becoming usually alternate on the inflorescence, with petiole 1-3 mm long and strongly ridged on both sides; lamina lanceolate to ovate, 2-4 x 0.7-2 cm, acuminate to acute, abruptly cuneate at the base, serrulate to denticulate, glabrous except for a few scattered hairs along the margin and/or on the petiole and main vein.

Inflorescence slightly nodding but with erect flowers single in the axil of leaf-like bracts, moderately covered with glandular and non-glandular hairs; pedicels 0.3-1 cm long when flowering and fruiting; floral tube to 1.5 mm long; sepals linear-triangular, 2-4 mm long, with spreading glandular and non-glandular hairs; petals oblanceolate, 3.5-5.5 mm long, with a terminal notch to 1.5 mm deep, rose-purple; stamens in 2 whorls of different length; style about as long as the longer stamens, with a somewhat swollen stigma.

Capsule 4-8 cm long; seeds with papillae arranged in vertical ridges.

Published illustration: Raven & T. Raven (1976) New Zealand D.S.I.R. Bull. 216:fig. 156.

Distribution:  Moist places or often a garden weed.   Qld; Vic.; Tas.   New Zealand; native in much of North America. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Flowers; Dec. — March.

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

Biology: In S.Aust. it has not been recorded naturalised outside gardens where it can be a troublesome weed.

Taxonomic notes: E. ciliatum is similar to some forms of E. billardieranum subsp. intermedium but is distinguished by its more delicate habit, its usually acuminate leaf apices, its seeds with vertical ridges and the nodding inflorescence.

Author: Not yet available