SPECIES DESCRIPTION
LEGOUSIA SPECULUM-VENERIS
Family:- CAMPANULACEAE
Common Names:- Large Venus' looking-glass.
Synonyms:- Click Here for a full list
Meaning:- Legousia Meaning uncertain
Speculum (L) Shining, as if with mirrors.
Veneris (L) Revered.
General description:- More or less pubescent annual 10-40 cm, usually much-
branched.
Stem:-
a) 10-30 cm tall.
b) simple or branched from base, suberect.
Leaves:-
1) Blade:
a) obovate or oblong.
b) margin, scarcely undulate.
c) lower, sometimes stalked (petiolate), the upper stalkless (sessile).
Flower:-
a) numerous.
b) short-stalked (subsessile).
c) often forming a large panicle.
1) Inflorescence:
a) ± paniculate.
2) Calyx-lobes:
a) somewhat shorter than to about as long as the ovary when in full flower.
b) linear, narrowing gradually to a point (acuminate), spreading (patent).
3) Corolla:
a) c. 10 mm.
b) at least as long as the calyx-lobes.
c) dark violet-purple, often with a paler centre.
Fruit:-
1) Capsule:
a) 10-15(-20) mm.
b) cylindrical, narrowed at the apex.
2) Seeds:
a) 1.1-1.2 mm.
b) broadly ellipsoid.
Key features:-
1) Corolla at least as long as calyx-lobes.
2) Calyx-lobes almost as long as the ovary at anthesis; patent or recurved in fruit.
3) Capsule 10-15 mm, narrowed at apex.
Habitat:- Cultivated, fallow and waste land, roadsides, occasionally on open stony
hillsides or in open shrubby vegetation. 0-1200 m.
Distribution:- Fairly common throughout mainland Greece, Peloponnisos and
Ionian Islands. - Widespread in the C & W Mediterranean region and SW Asia.
Declining in many places with modern farming practices. On Crete fairly common
in the west, but limited distribution in the east.
Flowering time:- Apr-June
Photos by:- Steve Lenton
