Citation: Roemer & Schultes, Syst. Veg. 4:254 (1819).

Synonymy: I. heterophylla R. Br., Prod. Fl. Nov. Holl. 487 (1810), non Ortega (1800).

Common name: Silky cow-vine.

Description:
Pilose annual with ascending or trailing stems; leaves elliptic, with entire undulate toothed or lobed margins, 1.5-6 x 0.4-2.3 cm, bluntly acute, base tapering.

Inflorescence axillary, peduncle very short to absent, bearing 1 flower; bracteoles herbaceous, opposite, subulate, acute, distinctly ciliate, persistent, 7-17 mm long; pedicel up to 2 mm long or absent; outer sepals ovate, distinctly acuminate, acute, base rounded to almost cordate, distinctly ciliate, face sparsely to moderately hairy, 6-12 x 4-6 mm; inner sepals similar or slightly smaller, with a more cordate base; corolla funnel-shaped, limb purple, with a darker throat, glabrous, 7-11 mm long, limb 6-11 mm diam.; stamens 5, inserted c. 1.5 mm above the base of the corolla; filaments unequal in length, 2.7-3.8 mm long; ovary 2-celled; style 2.5-4 mm long; stigma capitate, 2-lobed.

Capsule globular to globular-ovoid, depressed, with a persistent style base, 4.5-5 mm high, 5-5.5 mm diam., splitting longitudinally from the top into 4 valves; seeds pubescent, 3-3.5 mm long.

Distribution:  On sandy, rarely clay soils, in open Acacia and Eucalyptus communities. S.Aust.: LE.   W.Aust.; N.T.; Qld; N.S.W. Conservation status: native Flowering time: throughout the year.

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