DYSPHANIA MULTIFIDA

Family:- AMARANTHACEAE

Common Name:- None

Synonyms:- Atriplex multifida, Chenopodium multifidum, Chenopodium

multifidum f. typicum, Orthosporum multifidum, Roubieva multifida, Teloxys

multifida.

Meaning:- Dysphania Meaning unknown

Multifida (L) Much divided, deeply incised, with many deep divisions.

General description:- Aromatic perennial.

Stems:-

a) circular in cross section (terete).

b) green.

c) much-branched at the base; branches procumbent, to 1 rn, pubescent and

with stalkless (sessile) glands.

Leaves:-

1) Middle cauline,short-stalked (short-petiolate).

2) Blade:

a) to 3 cm.

b) divided into narrow, dentate lobes (pinnatifid).

c) pubescent, sessile-glandular beneath.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence:

a) spicate; branches spreading, with several flowers in axillary sessile clusters.

2) Flowers:

a) hermaphrodite or female.

3) Perianth segments:

a) (4-)5, united (connate) to near the apex, pubescent.

4) Calyx:

a) c. 2 mm.

b) pouch-shaped (saccate), pitted like a honeycomb (alveolate) without.

5) Stamens:

a) 5;

b) filaments flattened.

6) Stigmas:

a) 3-5, fairly long.

7) Pericarp free.

Fruit:-

1) Seed:

a) c. 0.8 mm.

b) vertical, broadly ovate-lenticular.

c) brown.

d) testa glossy, irregularly pitted.

Key features:-

1) Aromatic, with glands or glandular hairs.

2) Leaves mostly pinnatifid; lobes narrow

3) Fruiting calyx saccate and reticulately veined.

Habitat:- Roadside gravel, coastal habitats, wasteground. 0-600(-1000) m.

Distribution:- First collected from Greece in 1934 and is now probably spreading

rapidly, especially in the NE. Native of South America, naturalised in much of the

Mediterranean region. Currently known from only one location on Crete.

Flowering time:- May-Oct.

Photos by:- A. N. Other