Epilobium obscurum Schreb.

Erect perennial herb 20–80 cm tall, in late summer producing elongated leafy stolons above or on surface of ground, these not terminating in distinct rosettes; stems strigillose above, glabrous below, with the hairs concentrated on raised lines running down from petiole margins. Lvs mostly opposite, alternate in the infl., subsessile and often somewhat decurrent, 1.5–10 × 0.4–1.8 cm, lanceolate to narrowly ovate, green or bluish green, strigillose on midrib and veins below, otherwise glabrous, denticulate; base rounded to amplexicaul; apex obtuse. Infl. erect, with mainly strigillose hairs. Fls erect. Ovary 1.2–3.8 mm long, strigillose. Floral tube 0.8–1 mm deep, with a conspicuous rim of dense long hairs inside, strigillose with a few glandular hairs outside. Sepals 2.5–4.5 × 1–1.3 mm, strigillose, somewhat keeled. Petals rose-purple, 3.5–6 × 1.8–3 mm. Filaments of the longer stamens 2–2.2 mm long. Style white, 2.5–3.5 mm long, glabrous; stigma clavate, 1.5–2 mm high. Capsule strigillose, 4–7 cm long; fruiting pedicel 0.4–1.6 cm long. Seeds 0.8–1.0 × 0.35–0.4 mm, obovoid, coarsely papillose.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.