Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Nemesia denticulata

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Flowering season

April to September

English distribution

It is found mainly in and around Greater London.

It is very thinly scattered elsewhere.

For a map see the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland –

Wild Nemesia

Habitat

It is a neophyte introduced from South Africa and is grown

as a bedding, container and hanging basket plant.

The pictures shown here were taken close to the town

centre in Bridport, West Dorset. I have seen it as a

pavement weed over the last 3 years or so. 

Description

Wild Nemesia is a perennial, matt-forminh herb

growing up to 20cm.

The purple flowers are two-lipped, with the upper

lip consisting of four lobes and the lower lip two

lobes. 

The lower lip has a yellow or white bulge rather

like toadflaxes.

The stamens (4) and stigmas are hidden by the bulge.

The fruit is a capsule but I have not seen it in the

plants shown.

The rear of the flower has white spur.

The leaves are dark green, ovate and toothed.

The base of the stem is woody.