Citation: S.W.L. Jacobs, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 2:187, fig. 1 (1980).

Synonymy: S. valerandi sensu J. Black, Fl.S. Aust. 678 (1952).

Common name: Brookweed.

Description:
Perennials with erect branches to 50 cm long, terete, glabrous; basal leaves obovate-spathulate, 20-100 x 10-30 mm, with a long-cuneate base to subpetiolate, abruptly constricted at the apex but usually with a short point, almost membranous and with at least the primary veins visible; cauline leaves similar but smaller.

Inflorescence a raceme with 8-15 flowers; calyx lobes narrowly triangular, c. 2 mm long, acute, not ridged; corolla cream or white; tube about as long as the calyx; lobes oblanceolate, 2-3 mm long; anthers narrowly ellipsoid and with a terminal appendage as long as the anther.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NW.   N.T.; W.Aust. Conservation status: native Flowering time: June — Oct.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: S. eremaeus is easily distinguished by the large appendage on top of the anthers which is absent in S. valerandi L., a European species which has not been recorded from S. Aust. It is, however, not always easily distinguished from the complex species S. repens which consists of numerous local forms including various combinations of characters listed by Jacobs (1980) as characteristic of S. eremaeus. For instance, the anthers of shade forms with the elongate inflorescences typical of S. eremaeus from near Adelaide and identified as S. eremaeus by Jacobs, are not ellipsoid and neither have they appendages as long as the anthers. The species is here restricted to the eremaean plant as elongate racemes were also recorded in S. repens from other regions and seem to be a characteristic of shade forms.

Author: Not yet available