CACHRYS CRISTATA

Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE

Common Name:- Spiny Basil

Homotypic Synonyms:- Hippomarathrum cristatum

Meaning:- Cachrys (Gr) Parched-barley or Pine-cone-like, referring to the

appearance of the fruit.

Cristata (L) Tassel-like at the tips, crested.

General description:- Robust, rigid, much-branched, glabrous perennial

Stems:-

1) 40-80 cm tall, angular with opposite or whorled ramifications.

Leaves:-

1) Several times ternate into stiff, linear, divaricate segments.

Flowers:-

1) Radially symmetrical, from 3 to 3,5 mm diam, united into broad compound

umbels, from 3-10 cm diam, with 6 to 12 main rays.

2) Bracts and bractlets, linear-lanceolate, shorter than the rays and pedicels.

3) Corolla, with 5 petals, deep yellow, coiled towards the outside.

4) Stamens, 5 protruding.

5) Styles, 2

Fruit:-

1) 7-10 mm; ridges dentate-cristate, almost winged.

Key features:-

1) Leaf-lobes not more than 15(-30) mm, flat, 3-fid.

Click here for a glossary of terms used

Habitat:- Dry pastures, open scrub, fallow fields and olive groves. 0-700(-1200) m.

Distribution:- Scattered in C and NE part of mainland Greece. - S Italy, C & S

Balkan Peninsula, W Anatolia and perhaps further east. Rare on Crete known from

only a few scattered locations.

Flowering time:- May-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton