CAMPANULA CRETICA

Family:- CAMPANULACEAE

Common Names:- Symphyandra

Synonyms:- Symphyandra Cretica

Meaning:- Campanula (L) Bell-like.

Cretica (L) Cretan, from Crete

General description:- Perennial with a stout woody stock.

Stems:-

a) (15-)30-60 cm.

b) flowering, few, simple.

Leaves:-

1) Basal:

a) long-petiolate.

b) blade 6-14 x 5-12 cm.

c) ovate, cordate at the base, shallowly crenate-serrate.

d) margins, with rounded teeth (crenate).

2) Upper cauline:

a) much reduced. lanceolate, serrate.

Flowers:-

a) 3-10, subsessile or on short,stout pedicels in a ± unilateral raceme.

1) Calyx:

a) lobes, c. 15 mm, linear-lance-shaped, without a deflexed appendage in each

sinus.

b) teeth. linear-lanceolate, half as long as corolla, sometimes serrate.

2) Corolla:

a) 35-50 mm.

b) narrowly campanulate.

c) purplish-blue to almost white.

d) lobes, short and broad, patent to recurved, sparsely pilose inside.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) with 3 valves close to the base.

Key features:-

1) Calyx without a deflexed appendage in each sinus, lobes erect, usually serrate.

2) Basal leaves cordate or reniform.

Habitat:- Grows on shady cliffs and steep, rocky banks, either on calcareous or

siliceous rocks, up to 1700 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to West Crete. with one recorded location from the east.

Rare

Flowering time:- June-Sept.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997.

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