Heliophila pusilla

This slender annual grows up to 30 cm (12 in) tall.[2] The hairless stems are be soft and wiry or flaccid.[3] The leaves are thread-like or lance shaped, with the widest portion near the tip.[2] They are 5–35 mm (0.20–1.38 in) long and 3–15 mm (0.12–0.59 in) wide.[3]

Flowers are present between August and October, forming dense racemes.[2][3] They range from white to mauve in colour.[2] The petals, which range from 2 to 6 mm (0.079 to 0.236 in) in length, sometimes have basal appendages.[3] They have 3-12 ovules.

The fruits have a submoniliform shape and are 5–18 mm (0.20–0.71 in) long.[2] The bead-like structures are either continuous or joined by narrow waists.[3]

Four subspecies and varieties are accepted:[1]

• Heliophila pusilla var. lanceolata (Adamson) Marais
• Heliophila pusilla subsp. macrosperma (Marais) Al-Shehbaz
• Heliophila pusilla subsp. pusilla
• Heliophila pusilla var. setacea (Schltr.) Marais

The dainty sunspurge is found growing between the Kouebokkeveld Mountains and De hoop in South Africa.[2] It has also been introduced in Australia.[4] It prefers clay soils.[2]

Although the species as a whole is considered to be of least concern, Heliophila pusilla var. lanceolata is considered to be rare.[5][6] It is found in damp, sheltered areas on south- and west-facing slopes on Karbonkelberg, Chapman's Peak, and the Noordhoek Mountains.