SCUTELLARIA SIEBERI

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

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

Sieberi (L) For the botanist Franz Wilhelm Sieber (1785-1844).

General description:- Velutinous-tomentose, perennial plant.

Stems:-

1) 15-40 cm, ascending, sparingly branched, eglandular-puberulent, sometimes

also with short glandular hairs above.

Leaves:-

1) Rather long-petiolate.

2) Blade, 2-5 cm, ovate, truncate to slightly cordate at the base, coarsely crenate-

dentate, puberulent on both sides.

Flowers:-

1) In a rather long, dense, secund spike, internodes, c. 5 mm.

2) Bracts, exceeding the calyx, entire.

3) Calyx, green or pale purplish.

4) Corolla, 12-16 mm, cream, usually without spots or markings.

Key features:-

1) Corolla, less than 18 mm.

2) Inflorescence, internodes c. 5 mm.

3) Leaves, 2-4(-5·5) cm.

4) Bracts exceeding calyx.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone cliffs in gorges, rocky road

embankments, often in semi-shade. 0-1100 m. (rarely higher).

Distribution:- Cretan endemic. Widespread and common.

Flowering time:- Late Mar to early June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton