LINUM TENUIFOLIUM

Family and Genus:- See- LINACEAE/Sect. LINASTRUM

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Cathartolinum tenuifolium, Leucolinum tenuifolium

Linum biforme f. tenuifolium, Linum biforme subsp. tenuifolium.

Meaning:- Linum (L) Ancient name for flax.

Tenuifolium (L) With narrow leaves, slender-leaved.

General description:- Slender, subglabrous perennial.

Stems:-

1) (10-)20-45 cm, erect, ascending or decumbent, slightly branched below.

Leaves:-

1) 0·5-1(-2) mm wide, linear, 1-veined, margins minutely serrulate, flat or slightly

inrolled.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, very lax.

2) Sepals, 6-10 mm, lanceolate-acuminate from a broad base, with distinctly

glandular-ciliate margins in lower 2/3.

3) Petals, 15-20 mm, rather pale rose-pink with darker veins towards the base.

4) Styles, spreading.

5) stigma, capitate.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, 2·7-3·5(-4) mm, subglobose, beak c. 0·7 mm, acuminate, homostylous.

Key features:-

1) Petals, rather pale rose-pink with darker veins towards the base.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Limestone cliffs, etc. at 1890 m.

Distribution:- Fairly common in N Greece, southwards to Taigetos and Parnonas. -

Widespread in C & S Europe and SW Asia. Very rare on Crete currently known

from only one location in the Lefka Ori in the west.

Flowering time:- In June.

Photos by:- Courtesy of Wiki-Commons