CHAEROPHYLLUM CRETICUM

Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE

Common Name:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Chaerophyllum (Gr) Pleasing-leaf (the ornamental foliage).

Creticum (L) From Crete, Cretan.

General description:- Erect biennial or perennial.

Stems:-

1) Up to 60 cm, sparingly branched, more or less glabrous.

Leaves:-

1) Triangular in outline, 2- or 3-pinnate; ultimate segments incised-dentate.

a) lobes, up to 2 mm wide, linear-lanceolate.

Flowers:-

1) Umbellules, with up to 15 flowers, but usually only a few developing fruits.

2) Rays, up to 25, 3-5 cm, subequal.

3) Bracts and bractlets, lanceolate with scarious margins.

4) Petals, yellow.

Fruit:-

1) 13-25 mm, linear-oblong, with low, robust ridges.

Key features:-

1) Bracts, prominent, membranous, sometimes divided and leaf-like.

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Habitat:- Montane meadows and dolines among spiny shrub. 1000-1500 m.

Distribution:- Rare Cretan endemic known only from a few locations in the three

main massifs.

Flowering time:- May-July.

Photos by:- Jenny Neal