HORNUNGIA PETRAEA

Family and Genus:- See- CRUCIFERAE

Common Names:- Hutchinsia

Homotypic Synonyms:-

Meaning:- Hornungia (L) For Erst Gottfried Hornung (1795-1862), German

scientific writer.

Petraea (L) For Robert James, Lord Petre (1713-43), patron of botany

General description:- Small annuals.

Stems:-

1) 2-15 cm, slender.

Leaves:-

1) All pinnate.

2) Basal, rosulate, petiolate, with 3-15 or more ovate, lanceolate or

obovate, acute segments.

3) Cauline, few, sessile.

Flowers:-

1) Petals, 0·5-1 mm, as long as or slightly longer than the sepals.

Fruit:-

1) Silicula, 2-2·5(-3) mm, narrowly elliptical to ovate or obovate; valves compressed,

with a distinct median vein.

Key features:-

1) Petals, scarcely exceeding the sepals.

2) Silicula, 2-2·5(-3) mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky slopes, seasonally damp habitats with thin gravelly soil. 0-1400 m.

(-2000 m. in dolines).

Distribution:- Scattered throughout mainland Greece and Ionian Islands. - Europe,

NW Africa and Anatolia, On Crete confined to the main massifs, Lefka Ori, Kedros,

Psiloritis and Dikti.

Flowering time:- Mar-July, depending upon altitude.

Photos by:- Dr. Armin Jagel