BOLANTHUS CREUTZBERGII subsp. CREUTZBERGII

Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Common Name:- None

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Bolanthus Meaning uncertain.

Creutzburgii (L) After Nikolaus Creutzburg. German geographer.

General description:- A dwarf, laxly caespitose perennial, with a woody base. The

whole plant densly hairy with some longer, glandular and eglandular hairs.

Stems:-

a) 1.5-6 cm.

b) Ascending to erect.

Leaves:-

1) Blade:

a) 2-5 x 0·5-1·5 mm.

b) spatulate to oblanceolate.

Flowers:-

a) in capitate clusters or forked.

b) axis divided into two equal branches (dichotomous) with one flower per node.

1) Bracts:

a) leaf-like, ± equalling the calyx.

b) stem (pedicel) very short.

2) Calyx:

a) 2.5-4 mm.

b) ellipsoid.

c) tube 5-ribbed.

d) teeth, narrowly triangular.

3) Petals:

a) linear-spathulate, somewhat exceeding the calyx.

b) white with a deep purple transverse stripe near the middle or base.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) equalling the calyx.

2) Seeds c. 1 mm.

a) comma-shaped, black.

b) minutely papillose.

Key features:-

1) Stems not more than 6 cm.

2) Calyx 4-6 mm, tubular.

3) Petals linear-spathulate.

Habitat:- Rocky limestone slopes and screes. (800-)1600-2000 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to the Lefka Ori and Psiloritis Massifs. Rare.

Flowering time:- May-July.

Photos by:- Zacharias Angourakis

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Vulnerable (V) according to IUCN

1997.

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981