Wild Weeds – Weed of the Month

Clasping Venus’s Looking-glass

Triodanis perfoliata

Clasping Venus’s Looking-glass is an annual herbaceous wildflower in the bellflower family. The bell-shaped flowers have five bluish-purple petals and develop on the leaf axil. Not all flowers open but they still produce seeds since the flowers are self-pollinating. The leaves are alternately arranged and the base clasps around the stem. Flowers appear in late winter through spring.

The seeds are slightly flattened and said to resemble a hand mirror which is where the common name, Venus’ looking glass, comes from. The genus name, Triodanis, is from the Greek treis (three) and odous (tooth), referring to the three lobes of the calyx that surround those flowers that don’t bloom. The species name, perfoliata, refers to how the stem appears to pierce the leaves due to their tight clasping, according to the Florida Wildflower Foundation.

Learn more about the plant characteristics here: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-triodanis-perfoliata/

Check out other Wild Weeds Here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/bakerco/tag/wild-weeds/ 

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