Purple ammannia

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Toothcup

Toothcup

Toothcup capsules

Toothcup

Toothcup flower

Toothcup

Toothcup leaves

Toothcup

Morphology

Stem

Erect, often widely branched from base, 4-angled, glabrous; basal branches nearly decumbent.

Leaves

Opposite, entire, linear-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, rarely elliptic or spatulate, .8 to 3.2 inches long, 1/12 to 3/5 inch wide, fleshy to membranous, glabrous; base with auricles to heart-shaped, somewhat clasping.

Inflorescence

Cymes in leaf axils; flowers mostly 3-5 per axil.

Flower

Flowers small, inconspicuous, sessile or on stout stalks to 1/3 inch long; floral tube urn- to slightly bell-shaped, 1/10 to 1/5 inch long; calyx lobes 4, alternating with thickened appendages; appendages nearly equaling lobes in length; petals 4-5, 1/15 to 1/10 inch long, deep rose-purple, sometimes with darker purple spot at base; stamens 4-8, extending beyond petals; anthers deep yellow; style elongated, very slender.

Fruit

Capsule, 1/8 to 1/6 inch in diameter, equaling or slightly exceeding calyx lobes, opening irregularly; seeds many, tiny, egg-shaped to slightly triangular, rough.

Ecology

Habitat

Open wet areas, pond and lake edges, ditches, muddy ground.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

Native Americans gathered the seeds and prepared them for food.

Additional Notes