LITHOSPERMUM INCRASSATUM

Family:- BORAGINACEAE

Common Names:- Corn cromwell

Synonyms:- Buglossoides arvensis ssp. Gasparrinii, Buglossoides incrassata.

Meaning:- Lithospermum (Gr) Stone-seed. A name used by the Greek physician

and botanist Dioscorides.

Incrassatum(L) Very thick, stout.

General description:- Very variable low to medium, somewhat bristly annual.

Stems:-

a)1·5-17(-45) cm.

b) usually numerous.

c) central erect, the others procumbent or ascending.

d) densely leafy, densely hispid.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline:

a) 1·5-4(-6) mm wide.

b) linear or oblong.

Flower:-

1) Pedicels:

a) obliquely club-shaped (clavate).

2) Receptacle:

a) ± oblique in fruit

3) Corolla:

a) 4-6·5(-8) mm.

b) usually blue or blue-violet.

Fruit:-

1) Nutlets:

a) 1·5-2·5 x (1-)1·5-2 mm.

b) with small, low tubercles.

b) contracted into a short beak.

Key features:-

1) Pedicels obconical or clavate in fruit.

2) Receptacle ± oblique in fruit;

3) Adaxial nutlet ± embedded in the receptacle and pedicel.

4) Nutlets with small, low tubercles.

5) Stems 1·5-17(-45) cm, usually many, procumbent or ascending.

6) Cauline leaves 1·5-4(-6) mm wide.

Habitat:- Rocky limestone slopes and dolines. (600-)900-2000 m.

Distribution:- Widespread in the Mediterranean region and SW Asia. On crete

confined to the four massifs. (Lefka ori, Psiloritis, Dikti and Thripti).

Flowering time:- Mid Apr to early July.

Photos by:- Dr Armin Jagel