PETRORHAGIA ILLYRICA subsp. TAYGETEA

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

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Tunica illyrica var. taygetea, Tunica taygetea

Meaning:- Petrorhagia (Gr) Rock-bursting.

Illyrica (L) From the former western Yugoslavia.

Taygetea (L) From the Taiygetos mountain range, S Greece.

General description:- Short to medium perennial, somewhat woody at base.

Stems:-

1) 15-40 cm, ascending, moderately branched, usually glandular-pubescent

throughout or glabrous in the lower part.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline. linear-subulate, 3-veined.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, solitary or in lax fascicles.

2) Petals, 6-10 mm, linear-oblong to spathulate, white or cream, sometimes with

pink veins beneath.

3) Anthers, purple.

4) Calyx, 3·5-5 mm.

5) Calyx-teeth, 3-veined, lateral veins often weak.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, dehiscing, with 4 teeth.

2) Seeds, 1.7-2.3 mm, ovate-oblong, flat, with thin margins, black and smooth.

Key features:-

1) Calyx-teeth, with weak lateral veins.

2) Stem, densely glandular-pubescent throughout.

3) Petals, white or pale yellow.

4) Anthers, usually purple.

5) Inflorescence, lax.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky and stony slopes, evergreen or mixed scrub, open coniferous

woodland. 0-1400(-2000) m. on various, usually noncalcareous substrates.

Distribution:- Endemic Crete & Peloponnisos. Limited distribution on Crete, mainly

confined to the four main massifs.

Flowering time:- May-Aug.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton