CAMPANULA CRETICA

Family and Genus:- See- CAMPANULACEAE

Common Names:- Symphyandra

Homotypic Synonyms:- Symphyandra Cretica

Meaning:- Campanula (L) Bell-like.

Cretica (L) Cretan, from Crete

General description:- Perennial with a stout woody stock.

Stems:-

1) (15-)30-60 cm, flowering, few, simple.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, long-petiolate.

a) blade, 6-14 x 5-12 cm. ovate, cordate at the base, shallowly crenate-serrate.

margins, crenate.

2) Upper cauline, much reduced, lanceolate, serrate.

Flowers:-

1) 3-10, subsessile or on short,stout pedicels in a ± unilateral raceme.

2) Calyx,

a) lobes, c. 15 mm, linear-lance-shaped, without a deflexed appendage in each

sinus.

b) teeth. linear-lanceolate, half as long as corolla, sometimes serrate.

2) Corolla, 35-50 mm, narrowly campanulate, purplish-blue to almost white.

a) lobes, short and broad, patent to recurved, sparsely pilose inside.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, with 3 valves close to the base.

Key features:-

1) Calyx, without a deflexed appendage in each sinus, lobes erect, usually serrate.

2) Basal leaves, cordate or reniform.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Grows on shady cliffs and steep, rocky banks, either on calcareous or

siliceous rocks, up to 1700 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to West Crete. with one recorded location from the east.

Rare

Flowering time:- June-Sept.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997.

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981.