Lythrum hyssopifolia L.

Glabrous annual with diffuse or dense habit; stems to c. 40 cm tall, ± quadrangular, often pinkish, sometimes producing roots towards the base. Lvs sessile or subsessile, (6)–8–25 × (1.5)–2–8 mm, usually linear or narrow-linear, sometimes linear-oblong on lower part of main stem and on young plants, entire; base rounded to subcordate; apex acute or obtuse. Fls solitary in lf axils, monomorphic. Pedicels < 1.5 mm long; bracteoles > pedicels. Calyx 3–5.5 mm long; tube narrow-obconic and tapering gradually to narrow base, ribbed; lobes 1–1.5 mm long, narrow-triangular to linear-subulate; epicalyx segments 0.5–0.8 mm long, broad-triangular. Petals 6, 2.5–4 mm long, pink, crumpled; claw short; limb elliptic-obovate. Stamens (3)–4–7–(10), included; filaments generally of different lengths. Style 1–2.5 mm long. Capsule 4–6 mm long, cylindric, included in calyx tube. Seed 0.7–1 mm long, ovoid, slightly asymmetric.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.