Lepyrodiclis holosteoides (C.A. Mey.) Fisch. & C.A. Mey.

Lepyrodiclis species are annual herbs, usually flaccid, stem decumbent or ascending, simple or branched from the base and above, angular or terete, glabrous or glandular pubescent, rootstock slender. Leaves simple, opposite, lanceolate to elliptic, base connate, margin entire, apex acute to acuminate, not succulent, 1-veined, petiole sessile. Inflorescence in axillary or terminal, compound paniculate cymes or solitary. Flowers bisexual, weakly perigynous, pedicel reflexed in fruit, bracts paired, leaf-like, margins scarious, herbaceous, apex acute, Calyx campanulate to cylindrical, sepals 5, lanceolate-ovate, distinct, margins scarious, whitish, not hooded, apex acute, petals 5, free, white, pink, red, base not clawed, margin lacerate or retuse, apex entire or emarginated. Stamens 7-10, on a nectariferous or glandular annular disc at the base of ovary, filaments distinct, anthers 2-locular, nectarines present. Ovary superior, unilocular, ovules 4, staminodes absent, gynophore long, styles 2-3, filiform, stigmas 2. Fruit capsule, ovoid-globose, dehiscing by 2 straight valves, carpophores present. Seeds 1-2, reniform, compressed laterally, marginal wings absent, dark brown, papillae thick tuberculate.

Lepyrodiclis species flowers are complete, bisexual, i.e., with functional male (androecium) and female (gynoecium), including stamens, carpels and ovary; rarely unisexual. Pollination is entomophilous i.e., by insects, or cleistogamy i.e., by self or allogamy i.e., by cross pollination. Flowering/Fruiting: June-August/July-September.

Seeds may be dispersed by autochory i.e., self dispersal, anemochory i.e., wind dispersal, zoochory i.e., dispersal by birds or animals.

Annual herbs, about 60-90 cm tall, usually flaccid, stem decumbent or ascending, simple or branched from the base and above, angular or terete, glabrous near the base, glandular pubescent or papillose towards the shoot, rootstock slender. Leaves simple, opposite, narrow lanceolate to elliptic, about 2-8 x 0.1-0.3 cm across, base connate, margin grandular dentate, apex acute to acuminate, not succulent, 1-veined, petiole sessile. Inflorescence in axillary or terminal, compound bracteate paniculate cymes or ebracteate in solitary ones. Flowers bisexual, weakly perigynous, pedicel reflexed in fruit, bracts paired, leaf-like, margins scarious, herbaceous, apex acute, becomes smaller towards the shoot, Calyx campanulate to cylindrical, sepals 5, lanceolate-ovate, distinct, margins scarious, whitish, not hooded, apex acute, about 4-5 mm long, petals 5, free, white, pink, red, obovate-spathulate, base not clawed, margin lacerate or retuse, apex entire or emarginated, about 5-7 mm long. Stamens 7-10, on a nectariferous or glandular annular disc at the base of ovary, filaments distinct, anthers 2-locular, nectarines present. Ovary superior, unilocular, ovules 4, staminodes absent, gynophore long, styles 2-3, filiform, stigmas 2. Fruit capsule, ovoid-globose, about 3 mm across, dehiscing by 2 straight valves, shorter than the persistent calyx, carpophores present. Seeds 1-2, reniform, about 1.8-3 mm across, compressed laterally, marginal wings absent, dark brown, papillae thick tuberculate.

Lepyrodiclis species are susceptible to various insect pests, viruses, root rots, powdery mildews and moulds.

Alpine and temperate Himalayas, altitude 1200-4100 m.

Not evaluated (IUCN).