Branches from the base forming a mound or mat with flowers at the end of branches.
Long exserted flowers, broad overlapping sessile bracts forming a platform or bowl and upper triangular leaves on petioles, which are distinctly red or purple-tinted distinguish this species from L. purpureum.
Habitat
Open places in managed forests, agronomic and vegetable crop fields, orchards, vineyards, gardens, lawns, landscaped areas, fields, pastures, riparian, roadsides and other disturbed, unmanaged areas.
Flower Characteristics
Flower clusters are arranged in whorls at the bases of upper leaves. Individual flowers are slender, reddish or purplish, tubular, two-lipped, and 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are square and often branch near the base. Leaves are roughly 1/3 to 1 inch long, sparsely hairy, and broadly egg shaped or heart shaped to nearly round. Upper leaves are sessile (directly attached to the stem) and lower leaves have petioles.
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
The fruit is comprised of four nutlets contained in a tube-like structure (sepal tube). Nutlets less than 1/8 inch, shiny brown with white patches.
Brown, tiny and triangular in cross-section and have a rounded to squared tip and a long tapering base.