Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult.

Roemer, J.J. & Schultes, J.A. (1818) Systema Vegetabilium Edn. 16 3: 301.

Annual erect herb, up to 35 (70) cm. tall, much branched. Stem slender, 4-angled, glabrous.

Upper leaves sessile, the lower shortly petiolate; petiole up to 5 mm. long; lamina 1-3 (4) x 0.5-1.5 cm., ovate-elliptic to elliptic, acute at the apex, largely cuneate at the base, 3-5 nerved from the base, glabrous.

Flowers very numerous, pink, mauve or white, in lax somewhat diffuse, leafy cymes; bracts 4-8 x 2-5 mm., sessile, ovate, acute; pedicels 5-15 mm. long, filiform, not winged. Calyx tube 4-5 mm. long, narrow, scarcely swollen towards the base, not winged but ribbed, tubular; teeth subulate; 1.5-2 mm. long. Corolla tube 5-6 mm. long; lobes 1.5-2 x 1-1.5 mm., unequal, ovate obtuse. Filaments 0.4-0.9 mm. long; anthers 0.25-0.35 x 0.25 mm., ellipsoid; sterile stamens 1-2. Ovary 0.3-0.4 mm. long, cylindric; style 1-1.5 mm. long, linear; stigmatic lobes, 0.4 mm. long, densely papillose.

Capsule 4-5 mm. long, cylindric with a persistent calyx. Seeds, 0.2 mm. in diam., numerous; testa minutely faveolate.

Features not available.

Occurs in WA, NT, CYP, NEQ and the northern part of CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 700 m. Grows in damp areas and on creek banks in gallery forest and various types of woodland . Also from Africa, Asia and New Caledonia.