Trachelium caeruleum L.

Glabrous or almost glabrous herb. Stems to c. 50 cm tall. Petiole 5–10 mm long. Lamina 3–7 × 1.5–3.5 cm, ovate or ovate-elliptic, sometimes slightly hairy on veins below, strongly serrate or doubly serrate, often ciliolate; base cuneate; apex acute; lvs below infl. similar but smaller with shorter petiole. Infl. corymbose, to 10 cm diam.; fls very numerous. Bracts small, linear-subulate. Calyx c. 0.5 mm long; lobes narrow-triangular to triangular-ovate. Corolla deep blue; tube 4–5–(6) mm long, slender; lobes 1–2 mm long, ± elliptic. Stamens included. Style blue, exserted 3–5 mm; stigma ± capitate. Capsule c. 2 mm long, broad-obovoid. Seed c. 0.5 mm long, ellipsoid.

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

Flowering: Dec.–Feb.