Reseda luteola L.

Biennial glabrous taprooted herb, 50–150 cm tall; rootstock ± woody; stem erect, ribbed, hollow, simple or sparingly branched. Lvs simple, entire, with undulate margins. Basal lvs narrow-oblanceolate, cuneate, (3)–6–12–(25) × 0.5–1.5–(2.5) cm; cauline lvs linear to narrow-oblong, the lower cuneate, the upper more abruptly narrowed, 2–7–(10) × 0.2–1–(2) cm. Pedicels ascending, c. 1–2.5 mm long. Sepals 4, ovate. Petals (3)–4–(5), yellowish green; limb of posterior petal 4–8-lobed, of laterals and anterior entire or 4-lobed. Stamens 20–25; filaments persistent. Capsule cup-shaped, with sparsely tubercled lateral ridges, 3–5–(6) × 3–5–(6) mm long; carpels 3. Seeds brownish black, smooth, shiny, 0.8–1 mm long.

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

Flowering: Oct.–Jan.–(Jun.); Fruiting: Nov.–Feb.–(Aug.)