Redstem (Ammania Latifolia)

Lythraceae (Loosestrife family) 

Group: Dicot (broadleaf) 

Erect annual herb which can branch at the base, native of North America. It is commonly found in flooded fields, wet ditches, and wet spots in cultivated fields and disturbed areas.

Leaves are linear or linear-lanceolate, opposite, sessile (stalkless), 1 to 3 inches long, 1/10 to 1/2-inch across, smooth, occur at intervals along the stem, and clasping the stem at the base and auriculate (have small shallow lobes). Midrib runs along the entire length of the leaf.

Stem is erect to freely branching at the base, light green to reddish, round or square (or angled), smooth, 2 to 3 feet long.

Flowers are purple to rose-pink, in tight clusters in the upper axil of each leaf, and sessile. Fruit is a capsule, with numerous tiny seeds  

Roots are shallow, fibrous from a taproot.

Propagation is by seed.