STAEHELINA PETIOLATA

Family and Genus:- See- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- Cretan gorge laurel

Homotypic Synonyms:- Gnaphalium petiolatum

Meaning:- Staehelina. Meaning unknown.

Petiolata (L) Stalked.

General description:- Shrub.

Stems:-

1) Up to 100 cm, the branches sericeous, with rosettes of leaves at the apices.

Leaves:-

1) Ovate, entire, dark green and becoming glabrous above, sericeous beneath.

a) Rosette, 50-80 x 35-55 mm, petiole 50-80mm long.

b) Cauline, smaller, with shorter petioles or the upper sessile.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, in simple or compound corymbose cymes.

2) Involucre, 15-20 x 5-7 mm.

3) Bracts, glabrous to sericeous, brown.

4) Corolla, pink.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes, 4 x 2 mm, oblong, ± ribbed, glabrous.

2) Pappus,15mm, with branches about as long as the hair.

Key features:-

1) Leaves, unarmed.

2) Pappus-hairs, with branches about as long as the hair.

3) Achenes, oblong, ± ribbed.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- A typical chasmophyte found in crevices of limestome cliffs, often in

semi-shade in gorges. (100-)300-800(1500) m.

Distribution:- Widely scattered Cretan endemic.

Flowering time:- June to mid-Aug

Photos by:- Steve Lenton