HOLOSTEUM UMBELLATUM subsp. UMBELLATUM

Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Common Names:- Umbellate or jagged chickweed.

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Holosteum (Gr) Whole-bone, A name used by the Greek physician and

botanist Dioscorides for a chickweed-like plant.

Umbellatum (L) With the branches of the inflorescence all rising from

the same point.

General description:- Annual.

Stem:-

1) 5-20(-35) cm. Erect, simple or branched, usually covered with a waxy bloom

(glaucous) towards the base.

2) Glandular hairs more or less confined to middle part of the stem.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, oblanceolate, narrowed into the stalk (petiole).

2) Cauline elliptical, stalkless (sessile).

3) All leaves acute, entire.

4) Glandular hairs more or less confined to the margins of the leaves.

Flowers:-

1) In simple umbels on slender stems (pedicels) of varying length.

2) Pedicels deflexed in the young fruiting stage.

3) Petals, about twice as long as the sepals; white or pale pink.

4) Stamens usually 3-5.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, cylindrical, somewhat narrowed above, twice as long as the sepals.

2) Seeds 0·5-1 mm, reddish-brown.

Key features:-

1) Glandular hairs present.

2) Seeds up to 1 mm.

3) Lower part of the stem glabrous.

4) Stamens usually 3-5.

Habitat:- In a variety of open often sandy or gravelly, seasonally damp habitats.

0-2100 m.

Distribution:- C., E. and S. Europe, extending northwards to S. Sweden. On Crete

mainly confined to the Lefla Ori, Kedros, Psiloritis and Dikti massifs.

Flowering time:- Mar-June

Photos by:- Dr. Armin Jagel.