Torilis nodosa (L.) Gaertn.

Procumbent annual. Stems sparsely hairy, solid, striate, 5–50 cm long, sometimes purple tinged; hairs deflexed. Basal lvs densely hairy above and below, 1–2-pinnate, petiolate; ultimate segments ovate to lanceolate, pinnatifid and sometimes serrate, 5–20 mm long, usually sessile, sometimes shortly petiolulate; stem lvs similar to basal, but usually shortly petiolate and 1-pinnate. Umbels 5–10 mm diam., subsessile or shortly pedunculate, lf-opposed; rays 2–5, 1–5 mm long, giving the umbel a capitate appearance; bracts 0–(1); bracteoles 2–7, linear. Fls few, white or pinkish, c. 1 mm diam. Fr. ovoid, 2–3 mm long; outer mericarps with straight, spreading, thick-tipped spines; inner mericarps tuberculate.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Mar.