Chenopodiastrum erosum (R.Br.) Uotila

Annual, prostrate or decumbent, non-aromatic, eglandular, mat-forming, ± farinose herb, sometimes purplish, sometimes with central branch erect. Stems ribbed. Lamina usually 1.5–2× petiole, 2–10 × 1.5–7 cm, oblong-ovate or triangular, sometimes as wide as long, often dark purple below and sometimes above, lobulate and coarsely and very irregularly acutely or obtusely dentate, undulate; base shallowly cordate to broad-cuneate; apex acute or obtuse; lvs below infl. similar but smaller. Infls sub-paniculate or spike-like, often dark reddish, axillary and terminal, ± farinose, at least when young; branches often short and ± fasciculate, usually < subtending lvs; glomerules distant. Perianth segments 0.7–1.3 mm long at anthesis, incurved, slightly imbricate, green or purple-tinged, except for hyaline margin; keel shallow, obtuse, accrescent. Fr. loosely invested by perianth, except at free apical area; pericarp tightly adherent to testa. Seed horizontal, 1.2–1.5 mm diam., circular, compressed; margin subacute; testa black, prominently radially furrowed.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4. as Chenopodium erosum R.Br.]

Flowering: Dec.–Apr.