MICROMERIA HISPIDA

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Clinopodium hispidum, Satureja candica,

Satureja graeca var. hispida, Satureja hispida.

Meaning:- Micromeria (Gr) Small-parts, reference to the small flowers.

Hispida (L) Bristly.

General description:- Dwarf shrub or woody-based perennial.

Stems:-

1) Numerous, 5-15 cm, procumbent to ascending, simple or sparingly branched,

slender, herbaceous at least above, sparsely patent-pilose and glandular

-puberulent.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline, short-petiolate, blade, 3-5 mm, ovate to broadly elliptical, with slightly

revolute, thickened margins, sparsely pilose on both sides, midrib prominent

beneath, lateral veins obsolete.

2) Floral leaves, like the cauline, but somewhat smaller.

Flower:-

1) Verticillasters, 2-4-flowered, lax.

2) Calyx, c. 4 mm, tubular, straight, teeth, 1/3 as long as the tube, acuminate from

a narrowly triangular base.

3) Corolla, purplish-pink, tube, slightly exceeding the calyx.

4) Stamens, included.

Key features:-

1) Leaves, triangular-ovate to elliptical, acute.

2) Calyx, 4-5 mm.

3) Plant, densely patent-pubescent.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone cliffs, bases of cliffs, rocky slopes with

dry open shrubby vegetation, generally 500-1400 m. occasionally higher.

Distribution:- Endemic to the Psiloritis, Dikti and Afendis Kavousi massifs. Rare.

Flowering time:- May to early July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997.

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981.