Cyathula prostrata
Content
Description
Prostrate, weedy herb to 1 m, branched from base; stem striate, stoloniferous, rooting at lower nodes, thickened at nodes, reddish or purplish. Petiole 3-18 mm long; blade elliptical to rhombic or obovate-rhombic, 2-8.5 x 2.5-4 cm, obtuse, narrowed to base and apex, strigose. Inflorescence 0- to 2-branched from base, spiciform, pubescent, axis long, narrow, erect, glomerules distant towards middle and base of axis, to congested near apex; glomerules broadly ovoid or globoid, 1.5-3 mm long, rounded at apex, soon deflexed, usually comprising 2 fertile, 1 sterile and 4 rudimentary, uncinate flowers. Bisexual flowers 2-3 per cluster; tepals scarious, oblong-lanceolate, 1.6-2.4 mm long, mucronate, 3-veined, pubescent. Rudimentary flowers unisexual, greenish-white, about as long as bisexual flowers, reduced to 4-10 uncinate glochidia of ca. 1-1.5 mm long, scarcely longer than fruiting perianth; staminodes 3- or 4-fidSeed ovoid, smooth, shining, pale brown.