PHAGNALON PYGMAEUM

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Conyza pygmaea.

Meaning:- Phagnalon. Meaning unknown.

Pygmaeum (Gr) Dwarf.

General description:- Dwarf, growing in tight groups, perennial with a woody

stock.

Stems:-

1) Ascending to erect, 3-12 cm.

Leaves:-

1) 1·5-2·5 cm, oblong-spathulate, glabrous or densely tomentose, entire.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula solitary.

2) Involucral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, entire.

3) Peduncles slender with bract-like leaves.

4) Phyllaries appressed, narrowly lanceolate, acute to acuminate, pale greenish.

5) Florets lemon yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes c. 1.2 mm, cylindrical, pubescent.

2) Pappus hairs equalling the florets.

Key features:-

1) Capitula solitary.

2) Leaves glabrous, oblong-spathulate, margins entire.

3) Outer involucral bracts narrowly triangular to linear-lanceolate, acute.

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Habitat:- Rocky and gravelly slopes, cliff ledges, dolines 1300-2300 m.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic common in the Lefka Ori where it was discovered by

Sibthorp in 1786, but rare on Psiloritis and Dikti where it has recently found.

Flowering time:- June-July

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis and Giorgos Palimetakis