CREPIS AURICULIFOLIA

Family:- COMPOSITAE/Sect. CREPIS

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Crepis raulinii

Meaning:- Crepis (Gr) A name used by Greek philosopher Theophrastus.

Auriculifolia (L) Ear-shaped.

General description:- Perennials.

Stems:-

1) 6-35 cm, simple or with 1-4 branches above.

Leaves:-

1) With pale eglandular hairs or glabrous.

2) Basal, 3-21 X 1-4·5 cm, obovate, oblanceolate or elliptical, obtuse or acute,

denticulate to coarsely runcinate-dentate, narrowed at the base.

3) Cauline, reduced to linear-lanceolate bracts.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, few.

2) Involucre, 10-14 X 4-12 mm.

3) Bracts, linear-lanceolate, acute, the outer 1/3-2/3 as long as the inner, more or

less canescent-tomentose, occasionally with pale, simple, eglandular hairs

and short glandular hairs, pubescent on inner the face.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes 5-6·5 X 0·6-1·2 mm, yellowish, fusiform, with 4-5 strong ribs and 3-5

striae between the ribs.

Key features:-

1) Achenes 5-9 mm, 3- to 5-striate.

2) Basal leaves 3-8 cm, denticulate to coarsely runcinate-dentate.

3) Achenes unequally ribbed.

5) Outer involucral bracts at least ½ as long as inner.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone cliffs, rocky slopes, often in semi-shade

in gorges. (300-)900-1800 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to Crete. Confined mainly to the four main massifs, not

common.

Flowering time:- Apr to mid-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species):- Rare (R) according to the Red Data

Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (1995).

According to IUCN 1997. Near Threatened (NT)

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