STACHYS ARVENSIS

Family and Genus:- See- LABIATAE/Sect. OLISIA

Common Names:- Field woundwort

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Stachys (Gr) Spike-like.

Arvensis (L) Of the cultivated/ploughed field.

General description:- Erect, hirsute annual.

Stem:-

1) (5-)10-25 cm, simple or sparingly branched from the base, patent-pilose.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline, short-petiolate;

a) blade, ovate to broadly elliptical, obtuse, crenate.

Flowers:-

1) Verticillasters, 4- to 6-flowered, usually 6-12, the upper crowded, the lower

distant.

2) Upper floral leaves, equalling the calyx.

3) Calyx, 5-7 mm, hirsute, often tinged purple;

a) teeth, equalling the tube, triangular-lanceolate, glandular and eglandular-

pubescent.

4) Corolla, c. 8 mm, pale pinkish;

a) upper lip, entire.

b) lower lip, 2-3 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Nutlets, obovoid or oblong, rounded at the apex.

Key features:-

1) Corolla, 6-12 mm, scarcely exceeding the calyx.

a) Upper lip, entire.

2) Calyx, 5-7(-8) mm in flower.

a) teeth, as long as or slightly shorter than the tube.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Dry open shrubby vegetation, olive groves and field margins. 0-500 m.

Distribution:- Scattered in coastal areas throughout Greece. - Widespread in W &

C Europe and NW Africa, extending to Anatolia, Lebanon and Palestine. On Crete

somewhat scattered across the C & W of the island.

Flowering time:- Mar-May or later in irrigated habitats.

Photos by:- Kind permission of Saxifraga - Free Nature Images