ANAGALLIS MINIMA

Family and Genus:- See- PRIMULACEAE

Common Names:- Chaffweed

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Anagallis (Gr) Unpretentious or delighting.

Minima (L) Least, smallest.

General description:- Tiny, erect, sparingly branched glabrous annual.

Stems:-

1) 1-4(-10) cm.

Leaves:-

1) 3-5 x 2-4 mm, alternate, ovate-entire, subsessile.

Flowers:-

1) Solitary, subsessile in the axils of the upper leaves.

2) Calyx, 1·5-2·5 mm, divided to 3/4;

a) lobes, lanceolate.

3) Corolla, much shorter than the calyx, white or pink. divided halfway;

a) lobes, narrow, spreading.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, 1·5 mm, globose.

2) Seeds, 5-13.

Key features:-

1) Plant tiny, stems, 1-4(-10) cm.

2) Calyx greatly exceeding corolla.

3) Corolla, shorter than the calyx.

4) Leaves, altemate

Click here for a glossary of terms used

Habitat:- Seasonally flooded, open, sandy flats or depressions. 0-900 m.

Distribution:- In Greece known only from the Aegean area. - Probably native to

Europe and temperate Asia. Very rare on Crete currently know from only one

location, (see map)

Flowering time:- Apr to mid-June

Photos by:- Courtesy of Wiki-Commons