SPECIES DESCRIPTION
PETRORHAGIA DIANTHOIDES
Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE/Sect. PETRORHAGIA
Common Names:- None
Synonyms:- Gypsophila dianthoides, Tunica dianthoides.
Meaning:- Petrorhagia (Gr) Rock-bursting.
Dianthoides (Gr) Like Dianthus.
General description:- Caespitose, woody-based perennial.
Stems:-
1) 15-45 cm, several, ascending to suberect, branched only above.
Leaves:-
1) Small, linear, erect.
Flowers:-
than 4 mm wide.
beneath.
Fruit:-
Key features:-
1) Petals 6·5-8 mm.
2) Calyx-teeth ± acute.
Habitat:- Cliff faces, rocky places. 50-650 m.
Distribution:- Endemic to W. Crete. (Lefka Ori)
Flowering time:- May-June and Sept-Oct.
Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis
Status:-
Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997
Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED
Acute:- Sharp, sharply pointed, the margins near the tip being almost straight.
Bract:- An organ, often small and scale-like, but sometimes leaf-like, located
where the flower-stalk joins the stem.
Caespitose:- Tufted, growing in tight groups, the bases of individual plants
touching.
Calyx:- A Collective name for the sepals - the outer whorl of organs in most
flowers.
Calyx-teeth:- Tip of a calyx lobe or division.
Emarginate:- Distinctly notched at the apex.
Linear:- Narrow and parallel-sided. Narrow and much longer than wide, with parallel
margins.
Papillae:- Small nipple-like projections.
Papillose:- Covered with papillae. covered with small nipple-like projections.
Petal:- The inner perianth segments when they clearly differ from the outer - often
Scarious:- Thin and dry, paper-like, membranous not green.
Scutate:- (of scales), Shield-shaped, round and slightly bulging.