Ammannia multiflora

Ammannia multiflora, commonly known as many-flower ammannia and jerry-jerry in Victoria, is a species in the family Lythraceae. It is widespread in Asia, tropical and sub-tropical Africa and Australia. It can be found in shallow water and damp heavy soils.

Description

Ammannia multiflora is an erect, branched herb which grows to a height of about 60 cm. The leaves are opposite, and without stalks. The leaf blade is oblong-linear to narrowly lanceolate or oblanceolate, and from 0.5 to 5 cm long, with a heart-shaped base. The inflorescences occur in short dense clusters. The sepals are triangular and about. 0.2 mm long, with the petals being about 0.5 to 1 mm long. There are 4 stamens. The capsule is globular and from 1.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter.

Distribution

In Australia, it is found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, New [South Wales], and Victoria.

Conservation status

While its conservation status under the IUCN redlist is of "least concern", in Victoria it is considered "vulnerable".

Uses

In Australia, Aborigenes ground its seed and baked the resultant meal to make cakes.