Torilis nodosa (L)Gaertner        Knotted Hedge-parsley NOMENCLATURE Torilis: see T. arvensis. nodosa: referring to swollen nodes: nodus:knot BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION TYPE: procumbent/ erect annual .Th.  STEM: solid, striate, with sparse, closely appressed deflexed bristles.  HEIGHT: 50cm UMBELS : 0.5-1cm, Compound, leaf oppossed, subsessile. 2-3 short stout rays, hidden by flowers. Peduncle 1cm, often absent, rather sparse appressed deflexed bristles. LEAVES: 1-2 pinnate. Segments 3cm, ovate, pinnatif id, lobes linear-lanceolate, appressed forward-pointing bristles both surfaces. Petiole of lower leaves slender, short sheathing base & forward pointing appressed bristles. Upper leaves sub-sessile/with short sheathing petiole. Cotyledons tapered at base, no petiole. BRACTS: bracteoles linear, > than subsessile flowers, patent  or forward pointing bristles. FLOWERS: pinkish white. Hermaphrodite. Sepals acute, small, petals hispid beneath, subequal. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl.5-7. FRUIT: 2.5-3.5 mm. Ovoid, subterete. Commisure narrow. Mericarp: slender ciliate ridges, outer with long glochidiate spines & inner densely tuberculate between the ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary. Pedicels with ring of hairs at apex. Styles 1/2 > as stylopodium, erect or divergent. Stigma capitate. 2n=22,24. HABITAT: dry, rather bare banks, arable fields, behind sunny  sea walls. DISTRIBUTION: native. Local, Great Britain. absent N. Scot. S.Ireland. S. & W. Europe. S.W. Asia, N.Africa. RELATED SPECIES: T. leptophylla (L) Reichenb. fil. Like T.nodosa, but has longer, easily visi­ble rays. Casual in Brtain. Native to S. Europe.

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'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of British Isles' By J.M.Burton Copyright 2002