Phyllopodium hispidulum (Thell.) Hilliard

Annual herb c. 35-80 mm tall, stem branched from the base, then divaricately branched above, each twiglet terminating in a capitate inflorescence, stems pubescent with retrorse appressed eglandular hairs, hairs up to c. 0.5-0.6 mm long, a few minute glandular hairs sometimes on upper parts. Leaves opposite below, alternate above, lower ones c. 10-18 x 2.5-5 mm, elliptic or ovate-elliptic tapering into a petiolar part roughly half the total leaf length, upper leaves rapidly smaller and sessile, margins entire or with 1 or 2 obscure teeth, both surfaces hispid, patent hairs on lower margins up to 1 mm long. Flowers few in crowded heads c. 4-6 mm in diameter, elongating slightly in fruit. Bracts at base of inflorescence c. 3-4.5 x 1-2.5 mm, elliptic, smaller and narrower upwards, adnate to pedicel and lower part of calyx tube, backs minutely hispid, margins with patent hairs up to c. 0.6-1 mm long. Pedicels up to 0.5 mm long. Calyx bilabiate, tube 0.75-1 mm long, anticous lobes 1-1.5 x 0.6-0.75 mm, pubescent, hairs up to c. 0.25 mm long. Corolla tube 1.75-2.5 x 0.75 mm, broadening in the throat, limb 3.5-4 mm across the lateral lobes, posticous lobes 0.5 x 0.3-0.5 mm, anticous lobe 1.25-2 x 0.75-1 mm, all lobes elliptic-oblong, mauve, bearded at base of posticous lip, hairs often extending to lateral lobes as well. Stamens 4, anthers 0.5 mm long. Stigma well exserted. Capsules c. 3 x 2 mm Seeds 0.4-0.5 mm long, elliptic in outline, smooth, dark blue-grey.