Citation: Lain., Tabl. Encycl. 1:339 (1792).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Short-lived perennial herbs with leaves in a basal rosette from a thick rootstock with adventitious roots; leaves with an indistinct petiole up to 15 cm long continued into a long cuneate base, 6-30 x 1-4 cm, obtuse or acute, entire, usually with 3 main veins, shortly scabrid to glabrescent mainly along the veins on the undersurface and along the margins.

Spike usually elongate-obconical, 8-25 cm long, with flowers loosely arranged at least when fruiting; peduncle 5-20 cm long, terete, sparsely covered with spreading hairs, with flowers usually borne above the apex of the leaves; bracts lanceolate to triangular, scarcely membranous; sepals oblong-ovate, c. 2.5 mm long, unequal, strongly ridged, with few scattered hairs; corolla tube c. 3 mm long; lobes 2.5-3 mm long, erect and remaining closed (cleistogamous flowers); anthers broadly oblong, c. 2.5 mm long; ovary 2-celled, with 1 ovule in each cell.

Capsule ovoid to almost ellipsoid, 2.5-3 mm long; seeds 2, 1-1.5 mm long, ellipsoid, black.

	Habit and flower.
Image source: fig. 614B in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Distribution:  S.Aust.: SL.   Vic.   Native to South America. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Fruiting: April.

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

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: This species may be confused with P. myosuros Lam., which has been recorded from the N.S.W. coast and is distinguished by a distinct tap root. Both species have closed cleistogamous flowers with erect petals.

Author: Not yet available