Lindernia crustacea is an
annual that occurs in fields, vacant lots, or corners of yards.
Stems branch well to spread on the ground. Leaves in an alternate
arrangement are 0.7-2cm long, 0.6-1.3cm wide, oval, or broad oval,
with coarse serrations on the margins. In sunny places, stems or
leaves tinge purple. Axils on the upper parts bear single light
purple flowers. Corollas are lip-shaped, about 8mm long; stamens are
four in number, and two have stick projections on two bases
attaching beneath the lower lips. Calyxes, 5-ridged, are shallowly
cleft in five. The fruit (capsule), oblong-shaped, is enveloped with
calyxes. Bloom time: August-October. |