Arnebia hispidissima (Lehm.) DC.

Variable in habit. Plants from coastal areas tend to be prostrate as compared to plains from the inland plains (Kazmi, l.c. 492.).

Annual or perennial branched herb; stem prostrate to decumbent or suberect. Root exuding a purplish dye. Stem (-s), branches and leaves hispid, with small (up to 0.6 mm long) weaker hairs. Basal leaves 15-35 x 3-4 mm (cauline shorter), lanceolate, entire, ± revolute, tapering towards the base. Inflorescence a terminal scorpioid cyme up to 11 (-18) cm long in fruit, bracteate; bracts 4-8 mm long, lanceolate. Flowers heterostyled. Calyx 5-partite, 6-9 mm long, hispid, lobes unequal, linear-lanceolate. Corolla vinous to the outside, tubular; tube in long styled flowers 8 mm long, infundibuliform, 4-5 mm broad; lobes broadly ovate, margin entire to undulate, spreading, throat without hairs. Tube pubescent within just below the anthers (in long styled floweres). Anthers 1.5 mm long. Ovary deeply 4-lobed. Style simple, slender. Long styles reaching throat of corolla, short styles 4-5 mm long. Stigmas 2, flabellate. Nutlets ± 1.7 mm long, ovoid, light brown, minutely tuberculate.

Distribution: N. & E. Africa, Arabia, Pakistan.

Fl. Per.: December-April.