ASYNEUMA PICHLERI

Family:- CAMPANULACEAE/Sect. RANUNCULUS

Common Name:- None

Synonyms:- Campanula pichleri

Meaning:- Asyneuma, derivation uncertain.

Pichleri (L) For Thomas Pichler Austrian botanist (1828-1903).

General description:- Perennial with a ± turnip-like (napiform) stock.

Stems:-

a) 30-80 cm.

b) simple, erect.

Leaves:-

1) Basal:

a) usually absent when in full bloom (at anthesis).

2) Cauline:

a) several.

b) almost stalkless (subsessile).

c) narrowly ovate, narrowing gradually to a point (acuminate).

d) margins, sharply saw-toothed (serrate).

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence:

a) In small clusters on recurved, thread-like stems, forming spike-like.

2) Calyx:

a) teeth linear, 3 times as long as the ovary, spreading (patent) or bent somewhat

sharply downwards.

3) Corolla:

a) lobes linear-filiform.

b) patent to deflexed.

c) blue or bluish-mauve.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) pendent, ovoid, truncate.

b) grooved or furrowed (sulcate).

c) opening by basal pores.

Key features:-

1) Cauline leaves several, narrowly ovate, sharply serrate.

2) Calyx teeth linear-setaceous, patent to deflexed.

Habitat:- Rock ledges in gorges or beneath Berberis cretica shrubs. 1700-2100 m.

Distribution:- On Greece from Sterea Ellas to the border of Albania. Also in Bosnia

and Herzegovina and W Bulgaria. On Crete known only from the Lefka Ori.

Flowering time:- June-July

Photos by:- Thomas Giannakis