Question: Collected by a friend in peaty wetland on Vinalhaven. Herbaceous, opposite leaves, short-shoots in leaf axils, Stems 4-angled. Leaves lanceolate, …
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Question
Collected by a friend in peaty wetland on Vinalhaven. Herbaceous, opposite leaves, short-shoots in leaf axils, Stems 4-angled. Leaves lanceolate, glabrous, margins slightly involute, papillose adaxially, Strange brown structures arising in leaf axils -- cylindrical, jointed, paired scales or bracts at each joint, offset by 180 degrees. No evident internal structure (e.g. seeds, leaf primordial, etc.). NB - only seem to be able to upload one image at time. Will try to upload another.
Answer
Dear Javier, good morning. Your plant is Lysimachia terrestris (swamp yellow-loosestrife). The brown structures you are describing are bulblets that are capable of vegetative reproduction. They are frequently present and are a useful identification aid. Best wishes.
