Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Montiaceae Raf.
Genus
Calandrinia Kunth
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Calandrinia compressa Schrad. ex DC., Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 3, 359 (1828)
Vernacular Name(s):
Calandrinia; Curnow's curse
 Description

Taprooted annual herb. Stems 1-many, suberect or ascending, glabrous, often reddish, 10–40 cm tall. Rosette lvs linear-obovate, obtuse, ciliate, 30–50–(100) × 1.5–2–(5) mm, tapering gradually to subsheathing base; stem lvs similar, the uppermost becoming sessile, acute. Infl. terminal, racemose; bracts leaflike; pedicels erect, sparsely hairy, 3–15 mm long. Sepals broadly triangular, acute, keeled at apex, truncate to hastate and connate at base, ciliate and hairy near base, (4)–6–8–(10) × (4)–6–8–(10) mm. Petals 5, purple, 7–10 mm long. Stamens (5)–10; anthers yellow; filaments magenta. Stigmas 3, purple. Capsule ovoid, c. = sepals, dehiscing by 3 valves. Seeds ovoid-flattened, black, smooth, shiny, 1–1.5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–Mar.; Fruiting: Oct.–May.

 Bibliography
de Candolle, A.P. 1828: Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis. Vol. 3. Treuttel et Würtz, Paris.