HELIANTHEMUM STIPULATUM

Family:- CISTACEAE/Subgen. HELIANTHEMUM/Sect. BRACHYPETALUM

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Cistus stipulatus.

Meaning:- Helianthemum (Gr) Sun-flower.

Stipulatum (L) With conspicuous stipules.

General description:- Dwarf shrub, usually erect.

Leaves:-

1) 8-15 x 2·5-7·5 mm, linear- to ovate-lanceolate, with the margins slightly or

strongly revolute according to the season, sparsely stellate-tomentose above,

densely so beneath.

Flowers:-

1) Cymes, 3- to 7-flowered, lax.

2) Sepals, 3-4 mm, stellate-pubescent, between and on the ribs, ciliate.

3) Petals, as long as the sepals, yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, globose or trigonous.

Key features:-

1) Branches robust.

2) Sepals 5-8 mm in fruit.

Habitat:- Sandy and rocky coastal habitats, sometimes inland.

Distribution:- S Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt. Rare on Crete known only

from a few locations.

Flowering time:- Feb-May.

Photos by:- Jenny Neal