CERINTHE RETORTA

Family and Genus:- See- BORAGINACEAE

Common Name:- Lesser honeywort, Violet honeywort.

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Cerinthe (Gr) Wax-flower.

Retorta (L) Twisted or turned back.

General description:- Slightly bristly short to medium annual, green or bluish-

green.

Stem:-

1) 10-50 cm, erect, usually branched above.

Leaves:-

1) All usually with some white swellings.

a) lower, oval to oblong, often broadest above the middle.

b) upper, oval and amplexicaul cordate at the base.

Flowers:-

1) Bracts, ovate, cordate at the base.

b) equalling the calyx, violet.

2) Corolla, 10-15 x 3-5 mm, curved above and constricted at the throat, pale yellow,

violet distally.

a) lobes, ovate, sharply recurved at the apex.

Fruit:-

1) Nutlets, blackish.

Key features:-

1) Corolla-lobes, ovate, sharply recurved at apex, much shorter than the rest of the

corolla, pale yellow, violet distally.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Seasonally damp rocky ledges and rocky hillslopes, olive groves,

roadsides. 0-900 m.

Distribution:- Occurring from the Balkans to Turkey, including Crete. Rare on

Crete.

Flowering time:- Mid-Feb to May.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton