Citation: All., Fl. Pedem. 1:8 (1785).

Synonymy: Sherardia muralis L., Sp. Pl. 103 (1753).

Common name: Small goosegrass, small bedstraw.

Description:
Annuals with soft usually thin stems rarely longer than 12 cm, usually prostrate; stems quandrangular becoming terete later, usually glabrous, rarely with a few recurred hairs; leaves and stipules equal, in whorls of usually 4 or 5, oblanceolate or obovate below to linear-elliptic above, 3-10 mm long, acute and with a short terminal seta, with scattered bristles pointing towards the apex of the leaves on the upper surface but also along the slightly recurved margin, rarely serrate-ciliate, spreading.

Inflorescences axillary, 1 or 2 per node, each with 1 or 2 flowers, with peduncles usually absent and pedicels shorter than the subtending leaves; corolla yellowish-green.

Fruit 1-1.5 mm long, with 2 cylindrical mericarps, quite separate when mature, each with long hooked hairs particularly towards the apex; fruiting pedicels recurved to below the leaves.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 121.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NU, FR, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas.   Originally from the Mediterranean regions and southern Europe, but now a widespread weed. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: mainly Aug. — Nov. but also at any time of the year.

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