Heliotropium ophioglossum Stocks ex Aitch.

The species can readily be distinguished by the exserted stigmas.

Branched perennial up to 45 cm tall. Stem and branches 3-13 (-19) cm long, strigose, arising from a swollen base, intermixed with smaller and thinner hairs. Leaves 10-33 x 6-13 mm, lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate, hairy on both surfaces. Larger hairs stiff, arising from a bulbous base. Flowers uniseriate. Calyx ± 3.5 mm long, 5-partite, deciduous, densely hairy with longer stouter strigose hairs, 0.7-1 mm long; lobes linear-lanceolate. Corolla white; tube c. 4 mm long, pilose, glabrous within; lobes 1-1.2 mm long, obtuse to subacute, crenulate, nervose. Anthers 2.2-2.5 mm long, elongate, attached 1.5 mm from corolla base. Stigma 4-5 mm long, apex 2-appendaged, exserted, glabrous. Stigmatic ring prominent. Style 0.8 mm long, glabrous. Ovary glabrous. Fruit c. 1.5 mm long, lobed. Nutlets 4, dark brown.

Distribution: Endemic.

Fl. Per.: December January.