Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert
cow-basil
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Thayne Tuason     (Photo ID #76414)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Vaccaria hispanica
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Species Information

General:
Annual herb from a slender taproot; stems erect, solitary, branched, glabrous and more or less glaucous, 15-80 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, glaucous; stem leaves opposite, lanceolate to oblong, heart-shaped, unstalked, 3-9 cm long, 5-25 mm wide, glabrous, glaucous; stipules lacking.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of few to many flowers in open clusters; petals 5, pink, the blade wedge-shaped or egg-shaped, 5-8 mm long; sepals 5, often purplish, united, forming a tube 11-15 mm long, with 5 sharp angles or wings, glabrous.
Fruits:
Capsules globular, 1-celled; seeds reddish-black, globose, 1.7-2.1 mm wide.

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 fields and waste places in the steppe and lower montane zones; rare in SW and SC BC; introduced from Eurasia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Vaccaria pyramidata Medikus