Ornithopus perpusillus L.

Spreading prostrate annual; stems sparsely to moderately hairy, ribbed. Lvs moderately to densely hairy; leaflets sessile, elliptic or oblong, acute or obtuse, in (5)–7–12–(14) pairs, sometimes alternate, 1–3–(4) mm long; stipules adnate to petiole, lanceolate. Heads 2–6-flowered; bracts subtending the heads with 5–9 leaflets; bracteoles subtending fls minute, scarious; peduncles < =, or > lvs. Calyx moderately hairy; calyx teeth triangular, much < tube. Corolla white or cream with red or pink stripes on standard, 3–5 mm long. Pod densely hairy when young, becoming less hairy when mature, sometimes glabrous, constricted between seeds, veined, curved or straight, compressed, 10–20 mm long, with (1)–4–9, 1-seeded segments; seeds smooth, light brown.

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

Flowering: Sep.–Mar.