HELICHRYSUM DOERFLERI

Family:- COMPOSITAE/Sect. VIRGINEA

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Helichrysum (Gr) Golden-sun.

Doerfleri (L) Possibly for the Austrian botanist Ignaz Dorfler (1866-

1950).

General description:- Perennial tufted (caespitose) plant, covered in soft hairs.

Stems:-

1) Flowering stems not more than 8 cm. Decumbent or ascending from the woody

base, tomentose

Leaves:-

1) White-tomentose. petiole with a swelling either proximal, distal or both.

2) Basal, 5-10(-15) x 2-3 mm; oblong-spathulate.

3) Cauline, numerous:

a) lower, 20-30 x 2-4 mm, oblanceolate-spathulate, acute.

b) upper, narrowly linear.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, small yellow (1-)2-4.

2) Outer bract forming a cup or ruff surrounding the involucral bracts ovate.

3) Inner bract lance-shaped, becoming erose or irregularly lacerate at the apex.

Key features:-

1) Rosette-leaves 5-10(-15) mm; lower cauline leaves 20-30 x 2-4 mm .

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Calcareous open rocky ground, often beneath spiny dwarf shrubs 800-

1400 m.

Distribution:- Endemic Afendis Kavousi & Mt. Bembonas. Rare.

Flowering time:- Apr to mid-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species):-Vulnerable according to IUCN 1997.

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