DIANTHUS XYLORRHIZUS

Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE/Subgen. DIANTHUS

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- None

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

Theophrastus.

Xylorrhizus (Gr) Woody-rooted.

General description:- Perennial.

Stems:-

1) 10-25 cm, Woody and branched at the base, forming a lax cushion of

moderately short leafy shoots.

2) Flowering stems several, (-2)-flowered.

Leaves:-

1) In opposite pairs, those on sterile shoots 12-30 x c. 2 mm, thin, somewhat

flaccid.

2) Cauline, like those on sterile shoots but smaller; sheaths very short.

Flowers:-

1) Epicalyx scales, 4, 1/4~1/3 as long as the calyx, mucronate, coriaceous, pale

brownish.

2) Calyx, 24-26 x 5-7 mm including teeth, widest below middle, pale-striate; teeth

3-6 mm, oblong-lanceolate, acute at the apex.

3) Petal-limb spreading, -10 mm, obovate-wedge-shaped (cuneate), toothed at

the apex, white on the upper surface, tinged green on the reverse.

4) Styles, coiling.

5) Stamens, recurved to the petal limb.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule. splitting open to release the seed (dehiscing) apically with 4 teeth;

carpophore often present.

2) Seeds.numerous, concave on 1 side.

Key features:-

1) Epicalyx-scales brown, leathery (coriaceous)

2) Basal leaves more than 1 mm wide, flat and rather soft.

3) Petal-limb 4-6 mm, dirty white.

Habitat:- A chasmophyte of calcareous cliffs and rock crevices, at altitudes of 300-

700 m.

Distribution:- A rare local endemic of W Crete.

Flowering time:- Apr-June.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

Status:-

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

Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece (1995).

Vulnerable (V) according to IUCN 1997.

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