Weak annual herb to 35 cm high; branches with spreading septate hairs usually mixed with glandular hairs toward inflorescence. Leaves ovate to broadly ovate, c. 1–4 cm long, 1–3 cm wide, surfaces with scattered soft spreading eglandular hairs, apex obtuse, base cordate or truncate (rarely cuneate); petiole 0–3 cm long. Inflorescence with (1–)3 flowers per bract or leaf-axil. Calyx 10-veined, 5–7 mm long, with long spreading hairs, often purplish, lobes pointed, about as long as tube; corolla white or pale pink, tube c. as long as abaxial lobe; lower pair of stamens longer than upper. Flowers mainly May–Nov.
Wim, VVP, VRiv, MuF, GipP, CVU, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, MonT. Also naturalised WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Tas. Native to south-western and central Europe. Principally a weed of irrigated cropland, occasional on roadsides and wasteland.
Suspected of causing 'staggers', and in severe cases mortality, in livestock.
Source:
Conn, B.J. (1999). Lamiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 418–459. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
