Linderniaceae

Hairless, non-woody (herbaceous) annuals of shores of rivers and lakes. Stems creeping to erect, usually square in cross section, often branching and rooting at the nodes.

Leaves opposite, simple, unstalked or nearly so; edges smooth, wavy or slightly toothed.

Flowers pale violet-blue, solitary, on slender talks arising from upper leaf axils. Each flower producing both pollen and seeds; bilaterally symmetrical. Sepals 5, fused at base or partly so. Petals 5, fused to form a tube with 2 lips; upper lip hood-like with 2 shallow lobes; lower lip wide spreading with 3 lobes. Stamens 2-4, attached to the inside of the petal tube. Carpels 2, fused to form 1 pistil; ovary located above point of attachment of other flower parts (superior); style 1, long; stigma 1, with 2 lobes. Fruit asymmetrical capsules, with cross partitions; seeds usually yellow or golden.