Anagallis monelli, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 28-29

6. A. monelli L. , Sp. Pl. 148 (1753)

( A. collina Schousboe , A. linifolia L. ).

Perennial, erect or ascending. Stems 10- 50(-70)cm, terete, freely branched. Leaves (8—)10—15(—20) x 2-6 mm, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, or 6-1 0 x3 -6 mm, elliptical, opposite or verticillate, sessile; often with small axillary, sterile shoots. Flowers in axils of upper leaves; pedicels 20-50 mm, always exceeding subtending leaves. Calyx 4-6 mm; lobes narrowly lanceolate, subulate; margins scarious. Corolla 5-12 mm, blue or red, rarely of various paler colours; lobes obovate to elliptical, always exceeding calyx; stamens 1 -75— 3 -5 mm, when dry 1-2 mm, with numerous purple or yellow basal hairs. Capsule 5-7 mm. Seeds 20-45. 2«= 22. Dry, open habitats. S. W. Europe. Hs Lu Sa Si.

Variable in several characters, including size of leaf and corolla; though subspecific taxa have been described, they intergrade, and it is difficult to recognize them over the whole range of the species. Further investigation is required.