CONVOLVULUS ELEGANTISSIMUS

Family:- CONVOLVULACEAE

Common Names:- Elegant bindweed

Synonyms:- Convolvulus althaeoides subsp. Elegantissimus, Convolvulus

sericeus, Convolvulus tenuissimus.

Meaning:- Convolvulus (L) Entwined. A name used by the Roman naturalist and

philosopher Pliny.

Elegantissimus (L) Elegant, graceful.

General description:- Plant with perennial root.

Stems:-

1) Up to 1m twining, trailing or climbing.

Leaves:-

1) Alternate, very variable but at least the upper deeply lobed and cordate to

sagittate, greyish green, hairy, petiolate.

Flowers:-

1) Radially symmetrical, very pale pink with a white centre, from 30 to 40 mm

diam., solitary on stems longer than the underlying leaf.

2) Calyx with 5 free sepals, from 4 to mm long, a little membranous, pale yellow

green, speckled with black.

3) Stamens 5, equal to each other, inserted in the te base of the corolla.

Fruit:-

1) Capsules, hispid.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky hillslopes with open dry shrubby vegetation, olive groves, road

embankments and coastal habitats. 0-1300 m.

Distribution:- Common across the C. and E. Mediterranean. Widespread and

common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Apr-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton