Ferns-template

Bastard Toad-flax
or Bastard-toadflax

Comandra umbellata

Sandalwood Family - Santalaceae

Small (about 1/16 inches wide), greenish-white flowers arranged in compact branching clusters (cymes). Each bell-like, 5-lobed flower consists only of sepals (no petals) with each sepal being associated with one stamen. Leaves alternate, entire, oblong, 1 to 1.5 inches in length, pale below and with a pale central rib.

(Photographed - early June)

A parasitic plant (6 to 15 inches tall), which obtains part of its nutrition from the roots of shrubs and trees.