PETRORHAGIA DIANTHOIDES

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

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Gypsophila dianthoides, Tunica dianthoides.

Meaning:- Petrorhagia (Gr) Rock-bursting.

Dianthoides (Gr) Like Dianthus.

General description:- Caespitose, woody-based perennial.

Stems:-

1) 15-45 cm, several, ascending to suberect, branched only above.

Leaves:-

1) Small, linear, erect.

Flowers:-

1) Solitary or in small terminal heads subtended by scarious bracts the largest less

than 4 mm wide.

2) Calyx teeth, triangular, acute, prominently 1-veined.

3) Petals, 6-10 mm, entire or slightly emarginate, white with purplish-red veins

beneath.

Fruit:-

1) Seeds, 0.8-1.2 mm, flat, scutate, with thin margins, minutely papillose.

Key features:-

1) Petals 6·5-8 mm.

2) Calyx-teeth ± acute.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Cliff faces, rocky places. 50-650 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to W. Crete. (Lefka Ori)

Flowering time:- May-June and Sept-Oct.

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