Citation: R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 507 (1810).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Skullcap, dwarf skullcap.

Description:
Perennial herbs moderately branched with several quadrangular branches from the base, with antrorse simple hairs mainly along the ridges; leaves with the petiole 0.3-1.8 cm long; blade ovate or triangular-ovate to almost orbicular, 0.5-2 x 0.4-1.8 cm, with a cordate or rarely truncate base, often irregularly serrate-dentate with a few antrorse hairs mainly on the undersurface together with sessile glands.

Inflorescence a thyrse without a peduncle, with sessile part-inflorescences each with 1 or 2 pedicellate flowers subtended by leaf-like bracts, with internodes between flowering nodes elongated; sepals often tinged purplish, unequally connate, multi-veined, 2-3 mm or to 5 mm long when fruiting, 2-lipped and with neither lip lobed, with a semicircular fold protruding from the posterior side, covered with scattered antrorse hairs and sessile glands; corolla a pale purplish-red with white markings, 2-lipped, with both lips usually shorter than the tube, 5-6 mm long, with scattered hairs and sessile glands on exposed parts of the outer surface, with the posterior lip antrorse with 3 subequal lobes, with the anterior lip broadly spathulate and vaguely 3-lobed; stamens inserted at unequal levels well below the throat of the corolla tube, with filaments glabrous; anthers with 2 cells fertile and slightly diverging, hairy, with longer stamens scarcely exposed beyond the posterior lip; ovary on a thick disk, deeply 4-lobed and tilted forward, with a slender style inserted near the base and first turned downward but later curved to the posterior side of the corolla, often with an unevenly 2-lobed stigma.

Mericarps almost spherical, c. 1.5 mm long, slightly compressed and pointed towards the attachment scar, roughly tuberculate.

	Flowering branch and calyx.
Image source: fig. 557G in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Morley & Toelken (1983) Flowering plants in Australia 292, fig. 177a & b.

Distribution:  In moist sheltered places such as along creeks or ravines. S.Aust.: FR, MU, SL, KI.   Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Oct. — Feb., but occasionally also at other times.

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