CAMPANULA HIERAPETRAE

Family:- CAMPANULACEAE/Sect. CAMPANULA

Common Name:- None

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Campanula (L) Bell-like.

Hierapetrae (L) After its geographical location, Ierapetra, Crete.

General description:- A small velvety perennial.

Stems:-

a) c. 5-10 cm.

b) ascending or spreading.

c) thread-like (filiform), leafy.

Leaves:-

1) Basal:

a) 8-10 mm.

b) ovate-spatula-shaped stalked (petiolate).

2) Cauline:

a) ovate or almost orbicular.

b) with small leaf stalks (petioles).

Flowers:-

a) 1-4, shortly stalked.

1) Corolla:

a) 12-15 mm,

b) 2-3 times as long as the calyx.

c) funnel-shaped (infundibuliform).

d) greyish-blue.

2) Style:

a) shortly protruding beyond the surrounding parts (exserted).

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) open by 5 holes at the base.

Key features:-

1) Plant velvety (velutinous).

2) Corolla 12-15 mm.

3) Stigmas 3.

4) Ovary 3-locular.

5) Calyx with appendages between the teeth.

Habitat:- Crevices of calcareous rock-faces 1000-1450 m.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic from the Afendis Kavousi massif. E. Crete.

Flowering time:- July-Aug.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to the Red Data

Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (1995)

Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997:

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981.