荷莲豆草 he lian dou cao

Holosteum cordatum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 88. 1753; Dry-maria cordata subsp. diandra (Blume) J. A. Duke; D. diandra Blume.

Plants annual. Stems straggling, sometimes subscandent, usually rooting at lower nodes, 60--90 cm, mostly glabrous, minutely papillose toward inflorescence. Stipules membranous, splitting into few whitish setae. Petiole poorly defined, 3--7 mm; leaf blade ovate-cordate, (0.5--)1--3(--3.5) × 0.6--3 cm, prominently 3--5-veined from base. Bracts lanceolate, scarious. Pedicel 3--5 mm, slender, glandular hairy. Sepals lanceolate-ovate, 2--3.5(--5) mm, margin membranous, 3-veined, glandular hairy, apex subacute. Petals white, obovate-cuneate, ca. 2.5 mm, deeply 2-cleft; segments narrow, apex ± acute. Stamens 2--3(--5), shorter than sepals. Styles 3, connate at base. Capsule ovoid, (1.5--)2--3 mm in diam., 3-valved. Seed dark brown, suborbicular, ca. 1.5 mm, regularly densely tuberculate. Fl. Apr--Oct, fr. Jun--Dec.

Damp shaded sites, often near streams or under shrubs, disturbed areas; 200--1900(--2400) m. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [native to Central and South America].

This species is used medicinally and is a widely distributed, noxious weed.