CEPHALARIA SQUAMIFLORA
Common Names:- None
Homotypic Synonyms:- Scabiosa squamiflora.
Meaning:- Cephalaria (Gr) Head (the capitate inflorescence).
Squamiflora (L) With scale-like flowers.
General description:- Glabrous rhizomatous perennial, woody at the base.
Stems:-
1) Ascending to erect, 40-80 cm, simple or sparingly branched.
Leaves:-
1) Basal and lower cauline, short petiolate; blade narrowly ovate-elliptical, acute,
margins, crenate to serrate. dark green, somewhat coriaceous.
2) Upper,broadly linear ± entire.
Flowers:-
1) Capitulum, subglobose, 15-20 mm wide.
2) Phyllaries, numerous, imbricate the outer broadly ovate, obtuse, brownish. with
finely ciliate margins.
3) Recepticular scales, 6-7 mm, broadly lanceolate.
4) Corolla, pale yellow or white.
5) Involucel, with 4 short teeth on the angles and 4 very short intermediate teeth.
6) Calyx, cupuliform.
Key features:-
1) Leaves, coriaceous.
2) Involucel, with 4 short teeth on the angles and 4 very short intermediate teeth.
3) Teeth of the mature leaves not ciliate.
4) Young leaves often orbicular.
Habitat:- A typical chasmophyte, growing in crevices of large, vertical limestone
cliffs. (50)3001750 m.
Distribution:- Endemic to the Aegean area where it is scattered. Rare on Crete
known only from the Lefka Ori.
Flowering time:- July Sept.
Photos by:- Courtesy of Wiki-Commons