Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. subsp. tetraphyllum
four-leaved all-seed
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Frank Lomer     (Photo ID #27340)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Polycarpon tetraphyllum subsp. tetraphyllum
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Species Information

General:
Annual herb from a slender taproot; stems prostrate to erect, much branched, glabrous, 5-15 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves opposite, egg-shaped, 8-13 mm long, narrowed at the base, blunt, the lower pairs so close as to appear like whorls of 4; stipules small, triangular and long-pointed, papery.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of numerous flowers in a much-branched cluster; petals 5, white, narrowly oblong, 1-1.5 mm long, soon falling; sepals 5, 1-1.5 mm long, with a papery margin.
Fruits:
Capsules egg-shaped, to 2 mm long; seeds brownish, 0.4-0.5 mm long, granular.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Dry to mesic roadsides and waste places in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC, known only from Victoria; introduced from Europe.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L.