Blitum capitatum L.

Erect, glabrous, non-aromatic, eglandular and scarcely farinose annual, 20–50 cm tall. Stems simple or branched. Petiole 1–6 cm long. Lamina 1.5–8 × 0.8–5.5 cm, narrow-triangular with 2 narrow-acute lobes at base, purple beneath, at least when young, sinuate and occasionally toothed above; base cuneate; apex acute. Infls terminal and axillary, of discrete, sessile, subglobose, many-flowered glomerules; lvs subtending lower and middle glomerules decreasing in size upwards. Perianth segments 0.5–1.0 mm long, reddish, accrescent, rather narrow and scarcely touching at anthesis. Fruiting heads 1–1.5 cm diam., scarlet; perianth succulent; pericarp very thin, transparent, strongly persistent. Seed vertical, 0.8–1 × 0.6–0.7 mm, broadly oblong-ellipsoid or subreniform; margin acute; testa dark brown, minutely pitted.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4. as Chenopodium capitatum (L.) Asch.]

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.