HELIANTHEMUM HYMETTIUM

Family:- CISTACEAE/Subgen. PLECTOLOBUM/Sect. PLECTOLOBUM

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Rhodax hymettius.

Meaning:- Helianthemum (Gr) Sun-flower.

Hymettium (L) Of or relating to Hymettus, a mountain in SE Greece.

General description:- Strongly woody-based perennial.

Stems:-

1) Flowering, procumbent, 5-15 cm, woody below, herbaceous above.

Leaves:-

sides or dark greyish-green and glabrescent above.

2) Lower, without stipules.

3) Upper, usually with lanceolate stipules half as long as the leaves.

Flowers:-

1) 4-10 in rather condensed cymes.

2) Sepals, inner, c. 5 mm. elliptical, pilose.

3) Petals, 6-8 mm, broadly obovate, golden yellow.

4) Style, shorter than the stamens, strongly curved at the base.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, ovoid, 3-valved; ovules with a straight axis.

Key features:-

1) At least the lower leaves without stipules.

2) Style shorter than the stamens, strongly curved at the base.

3) Leaves, cuneate at the base.

Habitat:- Rocky and gravelly slopes and ridges, open coniferous woodland, mostly

on limestone (300-)700-2300 m.

Distribution:- Endemic Crete & S. Greece. On Crete restricted to the Lefka Ori and

Thripti Massifs. Rare.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

Status:-

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/198