ALYSSUM SIMULANS

Family and Genus:- See- CRUCIFERAE/Sect. ALYSSUM

Common Name:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Alyssum (Gr) Pacifier, ancient Greek name meaning without-fury -

alluding to the supposed medicinal properties against rabies.

Simulans (L) Simular, imitating, resembling.

General description:- Annual.

Stems:-

1) Up to 12 cm. indumentum, dimorphic, grey-green.

Leaves:-

1) Obovate to oblong with a few strigose hairs, restricted to the upper surface of the

leaves.

Flowers:-

1) Raceme, more or less elongate in fruit, dense.

2) Pedicels, 4-6 mm, erecto-patent.

3) Sepals, c. 2 mm, ± persistent, with a few strigose hairs, restricted to the apex.

4) Petals, 2·3-3 mm, distinctly emarginate.

5) Style, 0·5-1 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Silicula, 3-4 mm, orbicular, emarginate, glabrous. valves, inflated, with a flattened

margin.

4) Seeds, 1·5-1·7 mm, narrowly winged.

Key features:-

1) Few strigose hairs, which are restricted to apex of the sepals and upper surface

of the leaves

2) Sepals, ± persistent.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Screes, rocks and stony pastures, generally on limestone, 400-1200 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to the Aegean area with just a few records. Rare on Crete

currently known from only a few locations from the Lefka Ori and Dikti massifs

Flowering time:- Mid-March to late April.

Photo by:- None currently available