Prior names
Maidenia ceratocarpa
Maidenia acroptera
Hydrocotyle mercurialis
Dominia acroptera
Uldinia mercurialis
Hydrocotyle ceratocarpa
Uldinia ceratocarpa
Common names
Creeping Carrot
Etymology
Trachymene from the Greek 'trakhys' meaning rough and 'mene' meaning moon; alluding to the appearance of the fruit. Ceratocarpa from the Greek 'keras' meaning horn and 'karpos' meaning fruit; referring to the horn-like fruit
Distribution and status
Found scattered in the western part of South Australia, growing on red or yellow soils in sand dunes. Also found in Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales. Native. Common in South Australia. Rare in the Northern Territory. Common in the other states.
Herbarium regions: North Western, Lake Eyre, Nullarbor, Gairdner-Torrens, Eyre Peninsula
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Decumbent to erect annual herb to 15 cm high, stems glabrous or rarely with scattered hairs. Basal leaves circular-cordate, to 21 mm long, palmately divided into 3 obovate-cuneate lobed segments, sometimes further divided into 2 or 3 secondary lobes with petiole to 40 mm long. Stem leaves smaller, less divided, glabrous or with a few scattered hairs. Inflorescence in group of 3�5 on pedicels very short. Flowers blue or white. Sepals absent. Petals ovate, imbricate, not inflexed at apex.
Fruit laterally compressed, circular, 3�4 mm long, 6-ribbed on each side; apical appendage 3�5 mm long, horizontally spreading. Seeds are 4x1
| Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGA | 4,300 (8.37 g) | 30+ | 16-Sep-2009 | TST743 Eyre Peninsula | 1-Jun-2010 | 95% | -18°C |
| BGA | 3,100 (11.01 g) | 30 | 18-Sep-2009 | TST763 Gairdner-Torrens | 1-Jun-2010 | 100% | -18°C |
Number of plants: This is the number of plants from which the seeds were collected.
Collection location: The Herbarium of South Australia's region name.
% Viability: Percentage of filled healthy seeds determined by a cut test or x-ray.