GAGEA GRAECA

Family and Genus:- See- LILIACEAE/G. BOHEMICA Group

Common Names:- Greek lloydia

Homotypic Synonyms:- Anthericum graecum, Phalangium graecum,

Stellaster graecus, Hemierium graecum, Lloydia graeca, Rhabdocrinum

graecum,

Meaning:- Gagea (L) For the English botanist Sir Thomas Gage (1781-1820).

Graeca (L) Grecian, from Greece,

General description:- Herbaceous plant.

Bulbs:-

1) Solitary, often entanged in the roots and soil particles, coated with dark purple-

red tunics.

2) Main bulbil, (by the outermost basal leaf), appressed but not adnate to the stem.

Stems:-

1) 5-15 cm tall, glabrous, except for the margins of the upper leaves.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, 2 or 3, narrowly linear, flat, 1-2 mm wide.

2) Cauline, short, linear.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, 1-5-flowered, fasciculate, flowers nodding when young.

2) Perianth, funnel-shaped, not opening widely;

a) segments, 12-17 mm, narrowly oblong, obtuse, white with purplish-brown

stripes.

3) Style, 1·8-2·5 mm.

4) Anthers, 0·5-1 mm, obtuse.

Fruit:-

1) Capsules, broadly oblong, membranous at maturity.

2) Seeds, compressed.

Key features:-

1) Perianth-segments white, with purple stripes.

2) Anthers obtuse.

5) Flowers usually 3-5.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky limestone slopes, cliff ledges, open coniferous woodland, fallow

terraced fields. 0-700(-1600) m.

Distribution:- S Greece, Crete eastwards, including Cyprus. Widespread and

common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Late Mar to early June.

Photo by:- Steve Lenton