About Ellisia nyctelea (L.) L.
Ellisia nyctelea is an annual plant that reaches a height of 4 to 16 inches (10 to 41 cm). Its stem is somewhat succulent, with lower leaves arranged oppositely and upper leaves arranged alternately. The hairy leaves are typically up to 4 inches (100 mm) long and 1 inch (25 mm) wide, and are deeply lobed or divided, with 7 to 13 lobes or leaflets per leaf. Small flowers 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) in diameter grow on short, slender stalks that emerge from leaf axils. Each flower has five white or light blue petals that are joined at the base to form a tube, and these petals may have purple streaks or dots. The green, hairy calyx has five large teeth. This species is widespread across North America, but is mostly absent from northern Canada, northern New England, the southeastern United States, and the west coast of the United States. It grows in both disturbed open habitats with bare soil and deciduous forests.
