Velvet Pink - introduced (*Petrorhagia dubia)

Other names: Formerly known as Petrorhagia velutina.

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed & Carnation family).

Native of Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Occurrence: A common weed of woodlands and grasslands.

Identification:

• it is an erect annual plant to about half a metre high
• the pink flowers are at the ends of the branches and resemble tiny carnations
• the flowers are surrounded by light-brown papery leaves (bracts)
• there are glandular hairs on the stems.

It is an environmental weed.

Photos 1: Velvet Pink. Mt Alexander. 2,3: Castlemaine.