Herbs, decumbent, rooting at nodes. Leaves 2-ranked; blade lanceolate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, 2.5–5 × 1–2 cm (distal leaf blades wider or narrower than sheaths when sheaths opened, flattened), margins ciliolate, apex acute, glabrous. Inflorescences terminal, becoming leaf-opposed, sometimes axillary from distalmost leaf axil, 1–2 cyme pairs per stem; bracts mostly foliaceous, occasionally reduced. Flowers distinctly pedicillate; pedicels 1–1.5 cm, glandular-pilose; sepals 5–7 mm, midrib pilose with eglandular hairs; petals distinct, white, not clawed, 8–9 mm; stamens free; filaments white, densely bearded with white hairs.

Phenology: Flowering spring–fall.
Habitat: Woods, roadsides, and open areas, sometimes as weed

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Calif., Fla., La., introduced, native, South America (Brazil–Argentina), Africa (South Africa), Australia.

Discussion

This species was recorded north to North Carolina (J. K. Small 1933), but I have not seen any supporting records from Georgia or North Carolina.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.