Euploca polyphylla (Pineland Heliotrope)

Native to Florida and the Bahamas, and from Venezuela to northern and eastern Brazil, this low herb or subshrub has hairy stems and narrow, smooth-edged leaves. Small white or yellow flowers open along curved spikes that gradually uncurl. White-flowered plants often creep or sprawl, while yellow-flowered forms tend to grow more upright. The fruit separates into small nutlets. In Florida, the species occurs in pine rocklands, wet prairies, coastal thickets and disturbed places. Photographed in Florida.