Samolus L.

Primulaceae, P. Taylor. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1958

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs with erect or rarely prostrate stems

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, cauline or forming a basal rosette, linear to spathulate, entire

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal racemes or corymbs; bracts at the base or near the middle of the pedicels

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx-tube adnate to the ovary in its lower half; limb 5-lobed, persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla perigynous, subcampanulate; limb 5-lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens inserted on the corolla-tube; subulate staminodes often present alternating with the stamens

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary subglobose; style short

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule globose, many-seeded, dehiscing by 5 valves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds numerous, angular

Distribution

A small widespread genus found mainly in the southern hemisphere with the following cosmopolitan species occurring in practically every region of the world.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2014) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 2: Lythraceae to Campanulaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs

Morphology Stem

Stems erect or prostrate

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, cauline or forming a basal rosette, linear to spatulate, entire

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in terminal racemes or corymbs, bracteate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube adnate to ovary in its lower half, limb 5-lobed, persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla perigynous, campanulate, limb 5-lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Staminodes

Staminodes often present, alternating with stamens

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule globose, many-seeded, dehiscing by 5 valves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds numerous, angular.

Distribution

Almost a cosmopolitan weed; introduced and naturalized in many warm countries.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Perennial or annual herbs; stem usually erect, often with a basal leaf-rosette

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, oblong to spathulate, entire

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Flowers regular, in terminal racemes or corymbs; pedicels with small bracts inserted near middle or base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 5-lobed, persistent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla ± campanulate, 5-lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens inserted on corolla-tube, usually alternating with small staminodes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary half-inferior; style short; stigma truncate to capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule ovoid to globose, opening by 5 valves, many-seeded.

Distribution

Genus of about 14 species, one nearly cosmopolitan, the others distributed in North and South America, South Africa and Australia.