Erect annual herb to c. 30 cm high, glandular-pilose; stems branched, leafy. Leaves opposite, linear, mostly 2.5–6 cm long and 1–4 mm wide, acute, 1- or 3-veined, margins entire or shortly lobed or toothed, sessile. Spike globose to ovoid, 1–2 cm long, dense; peduncles to 8 cm long; bracts at base of spike leaf-like; upper bracts ovate, 3–5 mm long. Sepals linear to ovate, 3–5 mm long, unequal, ciliate; corolla-tube 3–3.5 mm long, lobes 1.5–2 mm long, c. spreading; anthers c. 1.5 mm long. Capsule ovoid, c. 3.5 mm long; seeds 2, c. 2 mm long. Flowers mainly spring and summer.
LoM, MuM, VRiv, MuF, Gold. Also naturalised SA, NSW. Native to northern Africa, Europe, Asia. Currently known only from near Rushworth, Tatura and Wyperfeld National Park and environs, but possibly more widespread in disturbed sites of dry inland areas.
Source:
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Plantaginaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 463–474. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
