Creeping Raspwort

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©Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0, Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0, Harry Rose via flickr CC2.0

Gonocarpus micranthus

Prostate stoloniferous herb less than 10 cm long, forming a mat. Pairs of small bright green rounded leaves with toothed margins. The leaves are opposite, with successive pairs at right angles to the last. Spikes of tiny red flowers near the end of branchlets, turning into minute grey to reddish fruit.

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Former Scientific Name
Gonocarpus micranthus ssp. micrantha, Haloragis micranthus
Distinctive Features

Small size and creeping prostrate form are distinctive.
Biology

Perennial. Moist peaty soils and boggy ground in a range of habitats. Tolerates dry periods.
Native Status
Native
Flowering Time

Oct-Feb
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Saxifragales
Family
Haloragaceae
Genus
Gonocarpus
Species
tetragynus

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

From the Greek gonia = angle, carpos = fruit, referring to the ribbed fruits. Also NZ, New Guinea, Indonesia, south-east Asia.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native