FILAGO ERIOCEPHALA

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- For a full list of Homotypic Synonyms click here.

Meaning:- Filago (L) Thread.

Eriocephala (Gr) Woolly-headed-one, with a woolly fruiting head.

General description:- Erect, grey-tomentose annual.

Stem:-

1) 15-40 cm tall, usually branched in the upper third.

Leaves:-

1) Numerous, ± appressed, lanceolate to narrowly oblong.

Flowers:-

1) Clusters of the capitula terminal and in branch forks, generally 10-12 mm 11

diam., not overtopped by subtending leaves, each with 30-50 capitula c. 4 mm. in

ovoid to subglobose clusters.

2) Outer and middle phyllaries acute.

3) Inner straw-coloured without reddish borders.

Fruit:-

1) Achene 0·5-0·8 x 0·2 mm, oblong to ovoid, brown.

Key features:-

1) Clusters of capitula ovoid to broadly oblong.

2) Outer and middle phyllaries c. 3 mm acute.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Coastal habitats, in open shrubby vegetation, fallow fields and olive

groves. 0-1200 m.

Distribution:- Scattered throughout mainland Greece, Peloponnisos and Ionian

Islands C & E Mediterranean region and throughout Anatolia to Iran. Fairly

widespread on Crete more so in the west.

Flowering time:- Mid-Apr to early July.

Photos by:- Dr. Armin Jagel