Small Venus' Looking-Glass

About

Triodanis biflora, also known as the Small Venus' Looking-Glass, is a species of flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family, or bellflower family, and is in the genus Triodanis. Its common name was given because it is similar to the European plant, Legousia speculum that has seeds with a shiny appearance resembling looking glass. This species is native to America and is a small, solitary wildflower with purple bell-shaped petals and an alternate leaf arrangement. It can be found in a diverse range of habitats, especially in disturbed areas across the U.S. and into South America, and it has an annual life cycle where it flowers from May to June. This species primarily relies on selfing due to its floral system; however, pollination by various insects can occur. While sharing many similarities with its relative, Triodanis perfoliata from their history of hybridization, key features that separate the two flowers are their anatomy and breeding system.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA