Four-leaved Allseed - Polycarpon tetraphyllum
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Species Description
Nationally rare. Found mainly on the South Coast of Cornwall; scattered elsewhere. Habitat includes: Open, sunny sites that are droughted in summer and relatively frost-free in winter such as steep South-facing banks, compacted shingle or sand, bulb-fields, gardens, at the base of roadside walls etc. Growing habit: Summer (occasionally winter) Annual. It is a therophyte (completes its life cycle in a short period when conditions are favourable and survive harsh conditions as seeds). Height: Up to 25 cm. Flowers: . It has been known in Dorset since 1770 and South Devon since 1778. Populations can fluctuate dramatically in numbers, and it has been rediscovered at some sites after an absence of many years.
Stace 4:
Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. (P. diphyllum Cav.) - Four-leaved Allseed.
Almost glabrous annual with erect to ascending much-branched stems to 25cm; leaves obovate, obtuse to rounded; flowers numerous, small and greenish; 2n=54. Probably native; open sandy and waste ground near sea; Channel Islands, Dorset, South Devon, Cornwall and Scilly, casual elsewhere. Plants with leaves only paired, contracted inflorescences, and stamens 1-3 (not 3-5) are distinguishable as var. diphyllum (Cav.) DC. (ssp. diphyllum (Cav.) O. Bolòs & Font Quer).
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Subspecies
| name | latinname | species | sightings | media | image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four-leaved Allseed | Polycarpon tetraphyllum var. tetraphyllum | 1 | 2 | 11 |  |