Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 447 (1753).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Lesser loosestrife, hyssop (or small) loosestrife.

Description:
Glabrous procumbent or ascending or erect annual to 50 cm high; leaves mostly alternate, linear to oblong or oblong-lanceolate, to 25 mm long and c. 8 mm broad; flowers solitary, in most of the leaf axils, with 2 minute membranous bracts at the middle of the short peduncle.

Floral tube narrowly obconical in flower but becoming cylindrical-ellipsoid in fruit, 3-6 mm long; epicalyx segments 4-6, subulate or lanceolate, green, 1-1.5 mm long; sepals 4-6, deltate, membranous, often pinkish, to 0.5 mm long; petals 4-6, blue, red or purplish, spreading, 1.5-4 mm long; stamens 4-6, included.

Capsule about as long as the floral tube; style 1.5-2 mm long.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 509.

Distribution:  In or near damp places. S.Aust.: LE, GT, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   All States.   many parts of the world. Conservation status: native 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