Reseda alba L.

Annual to perennial glabrous taprooted herb, 30–80 cm tall; rootstock woody; stems erect, ribbed, hollow, branched above. Lvs obovate-cuneate, (2)–4–10–(15) × (1)–2–5–(6) cm, pinnatifid with 5–10–(15) pairs of entire, oblong to linear lobes, constricted above lobes; margins tuberculate, flat or undulate. Pedicels patent, 2–5 mm long. Sepals 5–6, narrow-ovate. Petals white, 5–6, all with 3–(5)-lobed limbs. Stamens 11–14; filaments persistent. Capsule oblong to ellipsoid, smooth, (6)–8–12 × 2–4 mm; carpels 4. Seeds brown to dark brown, tuberculate, dull, 1–1.5 mm long.

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

Flowering: Oct.–Apr.–(May); Fruiting: Nov.–May.