Heliophila pusilla

Heliophila pusilla, the dainty sunspurge, is a species of plant in family Brassicaceae. It is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.

Description

This slender annual grows up to tall. The hairless stems are soft and wiry or flaccid. The leaves are thread-like or lance shaped, with the widest portion near the tip. They are long and wide.
Flowers are present between August and October, forming dense racemes. They range from white to mauve in colour. The petals, which range from in length, sometimes have basal appendages. They have 3-12 ovules.
The fruits have a submoniliform shape and are long. The bead-like structures are either continuous or joined by narrow waists.

Subspecies and varieties

Four subspecies and varieties are accepted:

Heliophila pusilla var. lanceolata
Heliophila pusilla subsp. macrosperma
Heliophila pusilla subsp. pusilla
Heliophila pusilla var. ''setacea''

Distribution and habitat

The dainty sunspurge is found growing between the Kouebokkeveld Mountains and De hoop in South Africa. It has also been introduced in Australia. It prefers clay soils.

Conservation

Although the species as a whole is considered to be of least concern, Heliophila pusilla var. lanceolata is considered to be rare. It is found in damp, sheltered areas on south- and west-facing slopes on Karbonkelberg, Chapman's Peak, and the Noordhoek Mountains.