ONOSMA ERECTA subsp ERECTA

Family and Genus:- See- BORAGINACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Onosma laconica

Meaning:- Onosma (Gr) Ass-smell (reputed to attract asses)

Erecta (L) Upright, erect.

General description:- Tufted, short, greyish perennial, with several flowering

stems, becoming rather woody at the base.

Stems:-

1) 15-25 cm, simple, densely stellate-setose.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, 30-60 x 3-5 mm, oblong or linear-lanceolate with revolute margins.

densely stellate-setose, setae,1-1·5 mm with rays 0·3-0·4 mm.

a) pedicels, 1-5 mm.

Flowers:-

1) 20-24 mm long, about twice as long as the calyx, bright yellow.

a) bracts, usually exceeding the calyx.

1) Calyx, 10-14 mm, densely stellate-setose.

2) Corolla, pubescent or glabrous

Fruit:-

1) Nutlets, 3-3·5 mm, smooth, shining.

Key features:-

1) Pedicels, 0-6 mm in flower.

2) Corolla, glabrous, but sometimes papillose.

3) Lower bracts, exceeding the calyx.

4) Calyx, with numerous stellate setae.

5) Setae, semipatent.

6) Lower leaves, 3-5 mm wide, oblong-to linear-lanceolate.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Cliffs and rocky slopes in low open scrubland and open coniferous

woodland, mainly on limestone. (100-)500-1600 m.

Distribution:- Endemic Crete, S. Greece & E. Aegean. On Crete scattered mainly

in the four massifs.

Flowering time:- Mid-Apr to early July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton