Identification
This inconspicuous native annual has weak and spreading stems up to 18 inches long. The leaves are divided into fern or parsley like leaflets (A,B). The tiny (1/8 inch), white flowers have 5 petals (C). They are arranged in a sparse cluster (umbel) at the ends of thin stalks. The fruit is a slender, ridged pod (D).
This plant appears to be significantly more common than it was in 2003 when the FF wildflower book was completed. At that time it was locally common in moist floodplain woods at Fontenelle Forest north of Gifford Road and was not observed at Neale Woods. In the spring of 2024, in addition to the population on the FF floodplain, it was found along Hackberry Trail in the uplands at FF and extensive populations were present along the trail in Raccoon Hollow at NW. Flowering occurs from April to June.
This species is easily overlooked because of its low, spreading habit and tiny white flowers.
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