Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague

Global description
 
Cyclospermum leptophyllum is an erect or slightly spreading plant. It is glabrous and measure between 20 and 50 cm high. The leaves are divided in 3 or 4 portions which in turn is divided in numerous filiform segments. They are 1 to 15 cm long. Lower petioles are longer than the upper petioles. The leaf base is sheathed around the stem. The inflorescences are branched umbels, opposite the leaves and held by a short axis. Each inflorescence is consisted of 8 to 15 very small flowers (1 mm diameter). The plant has a strong anise smell.
 
Cotyledons
 
The cotyledons are filiform, fairly large. They are 5 to 13 mm long and about 1 mm wide.
 
First leaves
 
The first leaves are long-stalked, divided into three segments, which are in turn divided. The subsequent leaves become increasingly divided.
 
General habit
 
Erect or slightly spreading grass, reaching 50 cm in height. It is branched as from the base or has a developed main stem.
 
Underground system
 
The plant has a deep taproot system.
 
Stem
 
The stem is cylindrical and finely fluted. It is full of a white pith.
 
Leaf
 
The leaves are simple, alternate and long-stalked. They are deeply divided several times into capillary lobes. They have 3 or 4 pinnates, with oblong to oval shaped borders and with linear to filiform ultimate segments. The leaves are generally oval in shape and 3.5 to 10 cm long and 3.5 to 8 cm wide. The ultimate segments are 15 to 20 mm long and 0.5 to 1 mm wide, but are often shorter and wider on the lower leaves. The apex of the segments is acute, their margin is whole and both sides are glabrous. The petiole, 2.5 to 11 cm long, has a sheathing base with white and membranous margins.
 
Inflorescence
 
The inflorescence consists of umbels usually located laterally, opposite to the leaves. The inflorescence can have a very small stalk or reach up to 2 cm long. There are no bracts or bracteoles and pedicels are 2 to 6 mm long.
 
 
Flower
 
The flowers can range from white to pale pink. The umbellules, grouped by 2 to 5 are formed of 8 to 15 flowers with the central flowers, sessile or subsessile. An umbellule measures 7 to 10 mm long. The flowers are very small, 1 mm, with a missing calyx and 5 orbicular petals which are apiculate and white to pinkish white in colour.
 
Fruit
 
The fruit is ovoid to broadly elliptical and strongly compressed in the lateral direction. It measures 1.2 to 3 mm long and 1.5 to 2 mm wide. It consists of two loculus each containing a seed. The seed coat is light brown and has 5 large ribs. At maturity, the whole fruit breaks off, or the loculus can be separated but remain indehiscent.
 

Origin

Cyclospermum leptophyllum is native to Central and South America.

Worldwide distribution

This species is now widely distributed in southern Europe, Africa, Indian Ocean islands, Asia and Oceania, as well as in the southern USA.

https://www.gbif.org/species/8350395