ANTHUS JUNIPERINUS subsp. JUNIPERINUS

Family and Genus:- See- CARYOPHYLLACEAE/Subgenus ARMERIASTRUM

Common Names:- Wild carnation

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Dianthus (Gr) Zeus'-flower. a name used by the Greek philosopher

Theophrastus.

Juniperinus (L) Bluish-brown, juniper-like, (the colour of the berry).

General description:- Small woody shrub.

Stems:-

1) Woody, branched, bearing herbaceous, flowering stems 10-20 cm, robust, 1- or

2-flowered.

Leaves:-

1) 2-3 cm, linear, abundant on non-flowering stems, 2 or 3 pairs on the flowering

stems.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, with (1-)2-6 flowers not opening together.

2) Calyx, 10-11 x 2-3·5 mm, nearly cylindrical; teeth acute.

3) Epicalyx-scales, 4-8, 1/3 - 1/2 as long as the calyx, obcordate, with a subulate

apex.

4) Petal-limb, 3-4 mm wide, pale pink, unspotted, shortly dentate or crenate.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, dehiscing apically with 4 teeth; carpophore often present.

2) Seeds, numerous, concave on 1 side.

Key features:-

1) Petals, pinkish, at least above.

2) Epicalyx-scales, obcordate, with a subulate apex.

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Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone cliffs, often in gorges, occasionally on

rocky road embankments, (200)600-1500-1800) m.

Distribution:- Endemic west Crete. Rare.

Flowering time:- Late May to Sept.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Vulnerable (V) according to IUCN

1997.

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