SPECIES DESCRIPTION
BIFORA TESTICULATA
Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE
Common Name:- None
Homotypic Synonyms:- None
Meaning:- Bifora (L) A framework of two.
Testiculata (L) Testicle-shaped (reference to the fruits).
General description:- Short to medium, slender, erect, hairless annual.
Stems:-
1) 20-40 cm. usually freely branched, ridged or angled.
Leaves:-
1) 1- to 2-pinnate, oblong in outline, with linear segments.
2) Upper, lobed;
a) lobes, linear, flat or with very slightly revolute margins.
3) Lower, petiolate, entire or lobed.
Flowers:-
1) Rays, up to 10 mm, with 2-3(-4) flowers.
2) Bracts, solitary or absent;
a) bracteoles, filiform, usually 2-3, subulate.
3) Petals, of all flowers nearly equal.
4) Style, not more than 0·2 mm, scarcely as long as the stylopodium.
Fruit:-
1) 2.5-3.5mm long, with 2 rounded lobes, rough and with rather obscure ridges,
short-beaked.
Key features:-
1) Lobes of the upper leaves, linear, flat.
2) Rays, 1-3(-5).
3) Petals, of all flowers nearly equal.
4) Style, c. 0·2 mm.
Habitat:- A weed of traditional agriculture and fallow fields, occasionally in
deciduous oak scrub and other semi-natural habitats. 0-1200 m.
Distribution:- Throughout Greece, but rare in the W and far NE. - Mediterranean
area and eastwards to Iran. Somewhat limited distribution on Crete.
.
Flowering time:- Mid-Mar to end of May.
Photos by:- Steve Lenton
