Water Woodruff

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©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Kevin Sparrow via natureshare.org.au, Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Kevin Sparrow via natureshare.org.au

Asperula subsimplex

Small perennial herb of aquatic habit, with slender square stems to 30 cm long, hairless, usually erect. Shiny stalkless narrow leaves to 12 mm long in whorls of four. Fragrant creamy tubular flowers in clusters of 1-5 at the junction of the leaf and stem in the upper leaf whorls.

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Mostly aquatic herb with square stems, leaves in whorls of four with very fragrant tubular cream flowers.
Biology

Perennial. Occurs in damp areas, swamps and riverbanks. Prefers semi-shade.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Oct-Feb
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Gentianales
Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Asperula
Species
subsimplex

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

From the Latin asper = rough, referring to the rough stems in most species. Male and female flowers are on separate plants.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Dries a greenish colour whereas the similar Mountain Woodruff A. gunnii dries black.
Native Status
Native