ONOSMA ERECTA subsp ERECTA
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.
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