Round shaped

77. Pennywort

Centella asiatica

   

A creeping perennial rooting at the nodes. Leaf stalks are variable in length from 1 to 20 cm. Leaves are round-shaped with smooth to wavy edges and 1 to 4 cm across. Flower heads are in groups of 3 or 4 on short stalks with small flowers which are small and roughly spherical in shape.

Pennywort is a common weed of lawns and gar-dens but is also found on the headlands of cane fields. It favours damp situations.

 


 

78. Tropical chickweed

Drymaria cordata

 

A sprawling, prostrate, weak-stemmed annual herb. It has many branches and roots at the joints. Leaves are pale green in well-spaced, opposite pairs. They are rounded, 1.5 to 2 cm across and on short slender stalks. The flowers are small, about 5 mm across and in open clusters on stalks at the ends of the branches. Petals are white and have two lobes. Fruit are dry and papery and about 2 mm long with small rounded, black seeds.

Tropical Chickweed is widespread and common, favouring moist situations. It is found in sheltered areas such as under trees and near buildings on the margins of cane fields.


 

79. Swamp hibiscus

Hibiscus diversifolius

 

An erect to spreading, prickly shrub growing to 2 m, the stems having star-shaped hairs as well as prickles. Leaves are broadly-oval to heart-shaped, sometimes with three lobes. They are 2 to 10 cm long and similar in width with the edges cut into regularly rounded teeth. Single flowers are carried in the leaf joints and have petals which are white with pink edges and dark red centres.

Swamp Hibiscus occurs in wet areas, close to the coast, in southern Queensland and NSW.

 


   

80. Giant pigweed

Trianthema portulacastrum

   

A prostrate, annual with round stems which have very short hairs except on the older parts. Leaves are opposite and the bases of the leaf stalks are expanded into shallow cups. Leaf blades are 5 to 25 mm wide, rounded at the tip and tapering at the base. They are dull green with reddish-brown margins and are slightly fleshy. The flowers are pink and sunken into the cups at the base of the leaf stalks. The upper part of the fruit is dry and papery and when it falls off releases small, round, black seeds.

Giant Pigweed is widespread and common in some localities. It grows on headlands and invades canefields, sometimes completely covering the surface of the ground in a dense mat. Mature plants are hard to control by cultivation. Also called Black Pigweed.