Erect or spreading annual, or rarely perennial, to 70 cm high; stems glabrous. Leaves pinnately lobed; lateral lobes 7–19, mostly 5–15 mm long and 1–3 mm wide, scabrous or sometimes papillose along midrib, terminal lobe usually longer than lateral lobes, linear-elliptic; upper leaves smaller. Bracts persistent; pedicels 1–10 mm long; sepals 5, lanceolate, mostly 2–5 mm long, scabrous, persistent; petals 5, variously incised (usually 3-lobed) to half way or less, white or cream; central lobe usually longer than lateral lobes; stamens 10; filaments persistent. Capsule oblong, 4-angled, 6–12 mm long, 4-toothed, ribs scabrous; seed granular, dull. Flowers Aug.–Feb.
Brid, VVP, HSF. Also naturalised WA, SA, Tas. Native to Mediterranean region. Weed of near-coastal areas of southern Australia, naturalised near Portland, Williamstown and apparently Queenscliff.
Source:
Entwisle, T.J. (1996). Resedaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 459–461. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
