Bacopa floribunda (R.Br.) Wettst.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Scrophulariaceae, D. Philcox. Flora Zambesiaca 8:2. 1990

Morphology General Habit

Erect, slender herb 8–14(35) cm. tall, scabrid, pubescent to subglabrous; stem simple to more frequently much branched, terete to channelled above, tetragonal below, occasionally subulate towards base.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves (10)15–24(40) x (1.5)2–5 mm., sessile, linear to linear-lanceolate, barely acute, narrowed shortly or at length to subamplexicaul base, entire, shortly scabrid to subglabrous, glandular-punctate beneath.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers axillary, usually solitary, white, through pink to blue or violet, pedicellate, bibracteate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels (2)4–5 mm. long, hispid.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 1–1.5 mm. long, setaceous, subpatent, arising c. 0.5 mm. below base of calyx.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx minutely pubescent to subglabrous; lateral sepals c. 3.5 mm. long, 1–1.5 mm. wide, lanceolate, midrib somewhat keeled, shortly hispid; posterior 6.5 x 6 mm., broadly ovate; anterior c. 6–6.4 x 4.3–5 mm., broadly ovate, all segments prominently nerved though laterals less so.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 4–6 mm. long; upper lip c. 2 mm. wide, emarginate; lower lip 3-lobed, lobes equal.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 3–3.25 mm. long, 2.5 mm. in diam., somewhat flattened-ellipsoid, glabrous.

Scrophulariaceae, S.A. Ghazanfar, F.N. Hepper & D. Philcox. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2008

Type

Type: Australia, Queensland, Shoalwater Bay, R. Brown 2653 (BM!, holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Erect annual 10–30(–55) cm high.

Morphology Stem

Stems 4-angled, simple or branched, finely puberulous to glabrous in the lower parts

Morphology Leaves

Leaves slightly fleshy, aromatic, linear to linear-lanceolate, 12–30 mm long, 2–4 mm wide, sessile to somewhat amplexicaul at base, ± acute at the apex, margins entire, glandular-punctate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary, usually in the upper axils of leaves; pedicels 3–5 mm long, finely puberulous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts setaceous, 1 mm long, inserted just below the calyx

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx finely puberulous and glandular, 3 outer lobes ovate, largest 6–8 mm long, 4–5 mm wide, in fruit prominently veined, 2 inner lobes linear-lanceolate, hyaline, 3–4 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla tube white, lobes bluish or white, yellow in throat, about as long as the largest calyx lobe; upper lip emarginate, lower lip equally 3-lobed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style and ovary glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma lamellate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule ovoid, 3–4 mm long, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds shallowly reticulate, 0.3 mm long

Figures

Fig 18, p 49

Ecology

Wet places and rice fields; 0–1400 m

Conservation

Least Concern (LC); widespread

Note

Small simple, annual plants from Mafia Island ( Greenway 5118) are evidently a coastal ecotype; they match West African plants in similar situations in brackish habitats.

Distribution

Flora districts: U1 K7 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Z P Range: Throughout much of tropical Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and extending to Arabia, tropical Asia and Australia

Scrophulariaceae, F. N. Hepper. Flora of West Tropical Africa 2. 1963

Morphology General Habit

Erect or ascending variable herb, 3-18 in. high flowers mauve

Ecology

In damp places.