Pteranthus dichotomus, Forskal

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 152

1. P. dichotomus Forskâl , FI. Aegypt. lxii & 36 (1775).

Fleshy annual herb; stems 10-20 cm, procumbent to ascending, articulate at the nodes. Leaves linear, subverticillate; stipules minute, lanceolate. Flowers sessile, in groups of 3, situated at the apex of an oblanceolate, swollen, hollow, compressed peduncle, the two lateral flowers sterile; each flower situated between two minutely glandular bracts on which is spirally arranged a row of curved spines. Petals absent; stamens 4; styles 2. Capsule indéhiscent, 1-seeded, enclosed in the spiny bracts and borne on the persistent compressed, inflated, wing-like peduncle, the whole ‘fruit’ 12-20 mm. Malta (doubtfully native). *Si. (N. Africa, Cyprus, Asia Minor.)