Appearance

Growth form

This cool-season winter annual has square stems that sprawl and then turn upward. The stems can reach about 2 ft (60 cm) long.

Leaves

Leaves grow in opposite pairs and have rounded, scalloped edges. Lower leaves have stalks, while the upper leaves clasp the stem without stalks.

Flowers

Small pink to purple, two-lipped flowers form rings around the upper stem. Some much smaller flowers stay closed and pollinate themselves.

Flowering time

In California, mainly March–August

Fruit

Each flower can produce four small, brown, nutlike seeds.

Look-alikes

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• lawns and gardens
• crop fields
• roadsides and disturbed ground

Range

It is native to Eurasia and northern Africa and was introduced across much of North America. In California it is widespread outside the Great Basin and deserts, up to about 2,600 ft (800 m).

Preferred conditions

It favors moist, fertile soil in sun or partial shade. It often appears where soil or turf is disturbed.

Life cycle

Reproduction

Seeds usually germinate in fall, though some also germinate in early spring. Closed self-pollinating flowers help the plant make seed even when pollinators are scarce.

Connected species

Pollinators

In North Carolina, the early flowers provide nectar and pollen for honey bees.

Pollinators

• Honey beesApis

  Honey bees visit the early flowers for nectar and pollen in North Carolina.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed