Villarsia capensis (Houtt.) Merr.

Herb, aquatic, varying in size, 5 cm to 1 m tall, when in deep water with long stems and petioles, in swampy ground short tufted plants. Leaves mostly basal, the occasional cauline leaves usually much reduced and sessile; basal leaves several to many, blade ovate-oblong, shorter than the petiole, 1.3-9 cm long, 0.6-4 cm broad, margin entire or irregularly dentate; petiole varying in length according to depth of water, 1.5-84 cm long. Cymes paniculate, terminal. Calyx about 6 mm long, divided almost to the base; lobes 5, usually apiculate. Corolla yellow; tube slightly shorter than the calyx; lobes slightly longer than the tube, crenate-fimbriate on the margins and with hairs at the base within. Stamens inserted in the corolla throat, filaments short or anthers practically sessile in the long-styled flowers. Ovary with up to 5 basal glands, 1-celled, broad-based, narrowing into the style which is long or short (heterostylism) and 2-lobed. Capsule short, 4-valved, 2-seeded.