Hygrophila costata Nees APNI* Synonyms: Hygrophila brasiliensis APNI*
Description: Herb to 2 m high, stems bluntly 4-angled, often reddish, glabrous, the lower nodes swollen and rooting where they contact the ground.
Leaves lanceolate to elliptic, 3.5–18 cm long, 0.5–5 cm wide, apex acuminate, base attenuate, margins entire to undulate, cystoliths numerous on upper surface, less so on lower surface, sparsely hairy below on the nerves. Petiole up to 3.5 cm long, glabrous, sometimes absent.
Inflorescences axillary, 3–4-flowered; flowers sessile; bracts 6–9 mm long, 1.5–3 mm wide, sparsely hairy. Calyx of 5, equal, linear lobes 5–9 mm long in flower, up to 12 mm long in fruit, sparsely hairy. Corolla white, 5.5–10 mm long.
Capsule narrowly oblong, 8–13 mm long, sessile, glabrous.
Distribution and occurrence: Naturalised in several locations in the North and Central Coast regions of NSW. Native of Central and South America. Occurs in and along watercourses in disturbed areas.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC
Text by D.M. Crayn (2004) Taxon concept:
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