Common Venus Looking-glass

Triodanis perfoliata

Leaves
Leaves are rounded to oval in outline, distinctly clasping the stem to the point that they appear to completely enclose the stem. Leaves range from 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in length and from 6 to 25 mm in width. Leaf margins are usually slightly serrated or toothed.

Stems
Erect, branched, hairy, reaching as much as 1 1 /2 feet in height.

Flowers
Occur in clusters of 1 to 3 in the positions between the leaves and stems. Flowers consist of 5 purple petals that are collectively approximately 3/4 inch wide. Flowers do not occur on flower stalks (peduncles).

Fruit
A long, narrow capsule containing many very small (0.5 mm long), reddish seed.

Roots
A fibrous root system.

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