SILENE GIGANTEA subsp. GIGANTEA

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

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

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

catchfly.

Gigantea (Gr) Unusually large or tall, gigantic.

General description:- Robust, short-lived, usually monocarpic perennial.

Stem:-

1) 30-120 cm tall, very viscid on upper internodes.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, numerous, in a distinct rosette retained at anthesis, obovate-

spathulate, ciliate.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, of many-flowered, condensed lateral dichasia forming

verticillasters.

2) Calyx, 8-12 mm. clavate, truncate or umbilicate at the base.

3) Petal-limb, 3-5 mm, greenish-yellow, deeply bilobed.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, broadly ovoid, at least 3 times as long as anthophore.

2) Seeds c. 1.5 mm, grey, with acute, tuberculate shoulders.

Key features:-

1) Calyx, clavate, truncate or umbilicate at the base.

2) Petal-claw, only slightly exserted.

3) Flowers, erect; inflorescence not directed towards one side (secund).

4) Capsule, c. at least 3 times as long as anthophore.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Cliff crevices and ledges, occasionally in roadside gravel. 0-900(-1400) m.

Distribution:- Widespread throughout the Mediterranean region. Fairly scattered

on Crete, but not common.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton