STERNBERGIA LUTEA subsp. GREUTERIANA

Family:- AMARYLLIDACEAE

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- Sternbergia greuteriana.

Meaning:- Sternbergia (L) For Count Kasper Moritz von Sternbergia of Prague.

(1761-1838).

Greuteriana (L) Possibly for Prof. Dr. Werner Rodolfo Greuter, (born

February 27, 1938) in Genova, Italy, as a Swiss national, a prominent botanist.

General description:- Herbaceous plant.

Bulb:-

a) 10-16mm diam.

Stem:-

a) erect, non-leafy.

b) hairless.

Leaves:-

a) 2-5(-6) mm wide.

b) flat on upper surface.

c) bright glossy green with a scarcely distinct, green central stripe.

Flowers:-

a) goblet-shaped and crocus-like.

b) golden-yellow.

1) Tepals:

a) (1.2-)1.5-5 x 0.2-0.8 cm.

b) rounded at the apex.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule:

a) 8-10 mm diam.

b) with 3 chambers.

c) fleshy.

Habitat:- Grows in scrub, dry open shrubby vegetation, level, clayey bottoms of

dolines and among calcareous rocks from sea level to about 1200 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to Crete. Relatively common in eastern Crete but rare in the

west and centre of the island.

Flowering time:- Oct-Dec.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis