Citation: N. Burb., Kew Bull. 9:452 (1954).

Synonymy: Hydrocotyle ceratocarpa W. Fitzg., J.W. Aust. Nat. Hist. Soc. 1:22 (1904); U. mercurialis J. Black, Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 46:569, t. 37, fig. 2F-I (1922); Maidenia acroptera Domin, Acta Bot. Bohem. 1:41 (1922); M. ceratocarpa (W. Fitzg.)Domin, Acta Bot. Bohem. 1:42 (1922); Dominia acroptera (Domin)Fedde, Reprium nov. Spec. Regni veg. 26:272 (1929) ('macroptera'); H. mercurialis (J. Black)Hiroe, Umbellif World 168 (1979).

Common name: Creeping carrot.

Description:
Small prostrate to rarely erect rigid sparsely hairy annual; leaves mostly basal, petiolate; leaf blades orbicular-cordate in outline, 10-15 mm long, palmately divided into 3 obovate-cuneate irregularly lobed segments; petiole long, fimbriate at the slightly broadened base; stem-leaves smaller and less divided, sometimes opposite.

Umbels simple, 3-5-flowered, axillary; peduncles 5-7 mm long; involucral bracts 4, lanceolate, about as long as the flowers; pedicels very short; sepals absent; petals blue, ovate, imbricate, not inflexed at the apex.

Fruit laterally compressed, orbicular, c. 3 mm long, 6-ribbed on each side; carpophore absent; mericarps obtuse on the back; along the dorsal rib 2 rows of hooked prickles; intermediate ribs with fainter prickles, terminating at the apex in a lanceolate vertical wing-like appendage, 3-5 mm long, bordered by small hooked prickles and spreading outwards at right angles to the fruit.

Published illustration: Theobald (1967) Brittonia 19:166, figs 1-8; 168:figs 9-15.

Distribution:  In deep brown-red sand and on sandy loams, often in depressions or at roadside kerbs.   W.Aust.; N.S.W. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Aug. — Sept.

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

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available