FILAGO ARVENSIS

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Achariterium arvense, montana var. arvensis, Gifola arvensis,

Gnaphalium arvense, Logfia arvensis, Oglifa arvensis.

Meaning:- Filago (L) Thread.

Arvensis (L) Of the cultivated field, of ploughed fields.

General description:- Plant patent-lanate.

Stem:-

1) 5-70 cm, usually racemosely branched.

Leaves:-

1) (6-)10-20 x 1-4 mm, oblong to linear-lanceolate.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, 2·5-6 x 2·5-5 mm, broadly ovoid, terete, in clusters of (1-)3-12 in a

racemose or paniculate inflorescence, not overtopped by subtending leaves.

2) Involucral bracts, only slightly saccate at the base, with a short, glabrous,

hyaline apex.

3) Inner female florets 15-18; hermaphrodite c. 3.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes 0·6-1·1 x 0.2-0·3 mm, pale brown:

a) outer obliquely oblong.

b) inner oblong-obovoid.

2) Pappus 2·5-3·5 mm.

Key features:-

1) Plant racemosely branched.

2) Clusters of capitula and single capitula in a racemose, spicate or paniculate

inflorescence.

3) Clusters with 3-12 ± sessile capitula.

4) Middle involucral bracts slightly saccate at the base.

5) Plant usually whitish-lanate.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Mixed scrub, open woodland, pastures fallow fields. (0-)400-1300 m. (but

mainly at 1200-1800 m.).

Distribution:- Throughout mainland Greece and Peloponnisos. - Widespread in

Europe and the Mediterranean region, extending to C Asia. On Crete mainly

confined to the three main massifs.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

Photos by:- Courtesy of Wiki-Commons