Family: Caryophyllaceae
Polycarpon tetraphyllum
Citation:
L., Syst. Nat. edn 10, 2:881 (1759).
Synonymy: Mollugo tetraphylla L., Sp. Pl. 1:89 (1753); P. diphyllum Cav., Icon. 2:40 (1793); P. tetraphyllum (L.)L. var. diphyllum (Cav.)DC., Prod. 3:376 (1828).
Common name: Allseed, four-leaf allseed.
Description:
Erect or small annuals rarely biennials or perennials, without a woody stock, spreading or prostrate, glabrous, c. 23 cm high, stems branched; leaves green, obovate to spathulate, c. 2.5 cm long, c. 1 cm wide, petiolate, with short scarious stipules, white, ovate-deltoid, opposite or in apparent whorls of 4.
Flowers numerous, usually in loose or dichotomous cymes, with dense leaflets, on very short pedicels not exceeding c. 6 mm long; bracts white, conspicuous, c. 6 mm long, resembling the stipules; sepals 5, strongly keeled, hooded, mucronate, c. 2 mm long, with scarious margins; petals 5, entire, membranous, narrowly oblong, not half as long as the sepals; stamens 3-5.
Capsule shorter than the calyx, opening in 3 valves; seeds c. 15, brown, almost triangular, strongly papillose-tuberculate, c. 0.5 mm long, with a whitish tubercle.
| Polycarpon tetraphyllum
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Image source: fig. 142 in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).
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Published illustration:
Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 303.
Distribution:
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Often as a weed in lawns and garden paths.
S.Aust.: FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE. W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Native to Europe.
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Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: mainly Aug. — Jan.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Taxonomic notes:
In view of the difficulties encountered in reliably distinguishing in S.Aust. between P. tetraphyllum and P. diphyllum, R.D. Meikle (1977), Flora of Cyprus 1:278, is followed in treating these as synonymous.
Author:
Not yet available
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