Gratiola peruviana

Gratiola peruviana
Gratiola peruviana in Kinglake National Park, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Plantaginaceae
Genus:	Gratiola
Species:	G. peruviana
Binomial name
Gratiola peruviana L.[1]
Synonyms
Gratiola latifolia R.Br.

Gratiola peruviana, commonly known as austral brooklime, is a small perennial herb in the family Plantaginaceae.[1] The species is native to South America and Australasia. It grows to between 10 and 30 centimetres high and has pink or white tubular flowers with red-purple stripes inside.[2] These are followed by ovoid capsules that are up to 7mm long. The stem-clasping ovate leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and have shallowly toothed edges.[3]

It occurs in the vicinity of waterbodies in shallow water, mud or dried areas.[3] In South America, the species is native to Peru, Brazil, Chile and Argentina.[4] In Australasia, it occurs in New Zealand and the Australian states of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.[1][5] The name has been misapplied to Gratiola pubescens in Western Australia.[6]

References

1. "Gratiola peruviana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
2. Wild Plants of Victoria (database). Viridans Biological Databases & Department of Sustainability and Environment. 2009.
3. "Gratiola peruviana". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
4. "Gratiola L". Flora of Chile. eFloras.org. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
5. "Gratiola peruviana". New Zealand Plants. Landcare Research. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
6. "Gratiola pubescens". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.