SCUTELLARIA HIRTA

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Scutellaria (L) Dish, reference to the fruiting calyx.

Hirta (L) Velvety, softly-hairy.

General description:- Plant covered with velvety down.

Stems:-

1) 3-10(-20) cm, ascending, branched from a woody base, brittle.

Leaves:-

1) Blade, 1-2 cm, triangular-ovate, truncate at base, crenate-serrate, obtuse.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, dense (intemodes c. 5 mm), secund.

2) Bracts, equalling the calyx, ovate-elliptical, subentire, green.

3) Calyx, c. 5 mm, patent-pilose, purplish.

4) Corolla, 10-13 mm;

a) tube, and lower lip usually cream.

b) upper lip, pale pinkish-purple.

Key features:-

1) Leaves, 1-2 cm. densely pubescent.

2) Bracts, not exceeding the calyx.

3) Corolla, creamy pinkish-purple.

4) Inflorescence, dense, intemodes 2-6 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone cliffs, thorncushion vegetation, open

woodland of Acer sempervirens and Berberis cretica, screes. (500-)1200-2100(-

2400) m.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic. Confined to the four main massifs, where it is

locally common.

Flowering time:- Mid-May to early Aug.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton