Information

An erect, sparsely to much-branched annual herb 5–33·5 cm. tall; stems covered with patent or crisped, often glandular hairs. Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 0·5–2–5(4·8) x 0·2–0·6(0·9) cm., acute at apex, tapering or rounded at base, usually with only a few hairs but occasionally pubescent. Flowers sessile or subsessile, peduncles and pedicels up to 1 mm. long. Calyx-tube 1·1–2 mm. long, sparsely covered in patent hairs or shorter crisped hairs; calyx-lobes ovate, 1·3–2 x 0·6–1·2 mm., acute at apex, glabrous or sparsely pubescent outside. Petals yellow fading to white, always shorter than sepals, orbicular to ovate, 1–1·3(1·6) x 0·55–1 mm., usually distinctly apiculate at apex, narrowed to base; margin entire to finely or irregularly crenate towards apex; only mid-vein distinct. Filaments 0·3–1·1 mm. long, translucent with vein apparent, small, membranous, hairy, basal scale-like appendage present; anthers 0·15–0·4 mm. long. Gynoecium with style-bases distinctly thickened, not separating for 0·15–0·3 mm. above the disk; styles 0·7–1·3 mm. long, glabrous. Capsule 1·4–2·2 mm. long, sparsely pubescent. Seeds straw-coloured, ovoid-cylindric, 0·15–0·27 mm. long, with indistinct longitudinal ridges. Also throughout tropical Africa S. of the Sahara, Egypt, Madagascar, India and Pakistan.Usually along river banks and dambos but occasionally in drier situations.