SILENE FUSCATA

Family and Genus:- See- CARYOPHYLLACEAE/Sect. ATOCION

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Silene (Gr) A name used by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus for

catchfly.

Fuscata (L) Somewhat dusky-brown

General description:- Annual, often lacking a leaf rosette.

Stems:-

1) 10-45 cm, simple erect or branched, not rigid, rather stout, ribbed or angled,

pubescent with patent, stout, twisted hairs.

Leaves:-

1) Lower, oblong-lanceolate, undulate, sparsely hispid or subglabrous.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, several- to many-flowered, rather densely cymose-paniculate.

2) Calyx, 10-14 mm, clavate in fruit, glandular-pubescent, usually reddish.

3) Calyx-teeth, ovate, obtuse.

4) Petals, deep pink.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, 4-5 mm, broadly ovoid, firm.

2) Carpophore, 4·5-7 mm, glabrous.

3) Seeds, 0.8-1.0 mm, reniform; with concave sides, obtusely tuberculate, blackish.

Key features:-

1) Carpophore, 4·5-7 mm.

2) Inflorescence, ± dense.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- FalIow fields and nutrient-rich ruderal habitats in coastal areas. 0-50 m.

Distribution:- Currently known from only two collections in Greece, Crete and

Kerkira, so perhaps only casual. - Scattered in the Mediterranean region, mainly in

the south, from S Spain to Cyprus and Palestine.

Flowering time:- Feb-Apr.

Photos by:- Francesco Russo