FILAGO CRETENSIS subsp. CRETENSIS

Including, Subsp. cycladum

Family and Genus:- See- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Filago (L) Thread.

Cretensis (L) From Crete, Cretan

General description:- Tiny grey-tomentose, annual.

Stem:-

1) Slender, 2-6(-12) cm, main stem, usually well developed, sparingly branched.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline, few, broadly oblanceolate-spathulate, often glabrescent above.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, subterete, in terminal clusters of 5-7; clusters 4-6 mm wide, more or

less overtopped by several subtending leaves.

2) Involucral bracts, ovate-lanceolate, soft, purplish to brownish, suberect or slightly

divergent in fruit, with wide glabrous margins.

3) Phyllaries, middle arista 0.5-1 mm.

b) acute or with a very short arista. (subsp. cycladum).

4) Inner female florets, 8-12; hermaphrodite 3-6(-8).

Fruit:-

1) Achenes, c. 0·7 mm, brown.

2) Pappus, 1-1·2 mm.

Key features:-

1) Bracts, not rigid, the middle ones tomentose, with glabrous margins, diverging or

± erect in fruit, not incurved.

Habitat:- Rocky coastal habitats, open shrubby vegetation on various substrates.

0-700(-1100) m.

Distribution:- Endemic to coastal areas of W. Anatolia. Fairly widespread and

common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Apr-June

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

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FILAGO CRETENSIS subsp. CYCLADUM Back to Top

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Cycladum (L) From the Cyclades island group in the Aegean

Resembling subsp, cretensis, but differering in the following characters:-

1) Main stem ± lacking,

2) Capitula, one cluster at ground level.

3) Phyllaries, middle acute or with a very short arista.

Habitat:- As for subsp, cretensis

Distribution:- Currently known from only one location in the far south east

Flowering time:- As for subsp, cretensis