FILAGO CRETENSIS

Including:

1) subsp. cretensis: Main stem usually well developed; middle phyllaries with

arista 0.5-1 mm.

2) subsp. cycladum Main stem ± lacking, one cluster of capitula at ground level;

middle phyllaries acute or with a very short arista.¹⁾

1) Arne Strid "Atlas of the Aegean Flora". Book 1 2016

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Filago (L) Thread.

Cretensis (L) From Crete, Cretan

General description:- Tiny grey-tomentose, annual.

Stem:-

1) Slender, 2-6(-12) cm, 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:

a) arista 0.5-1 mm. (subsp. cretensis).

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