MICROMERIA SPHACIOTICA

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Satureja sphaciotica

Meaning:- Micromeria (Gr) Small-parts, reference to the small flowers.

Sphaciotica (Gr) Damaged-looking, of gangrened appearance.

General description:- Dwarf shrub or woody-based perennial.

Stems:-

1) 5-15 cm tall. moderately branched, patent-pilose.

Leaves:-

1) Short-petiolate, narrowly elliptical, acute, ciliate.

Flower:-

1) Verticillasters, c. 6-flowered, distinctly separated.

2) Calyx, c. 3.5 mm. tubular, straight, teeth l/4 as long as the tube, narrowly

triangular.

3) Corolla, pinkish-purple.

4) Tube, exceeding the calyx.

5) Stamens. included.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone cliffs in gorges, 500-900 m.

Distribution:- A rare and little known Cretan endemic, first collected by Heldreich in

1846 in the S. foothills of Lefka Ori.

Flowering time:- Probably May-July.

Photos by:- Chrysoula Kapsomenou