EMEX SPINOSA

Family and Genus:- See- POLYGONACEAE

Common Names:- Emex, Spiny dock.

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Emex Meaning unknown.

Spinosa (L) Spiny, with spines.

General description:- Monoecious annual or short-lived perennial, somewhat

fleshy

Stems:-

1) 15-40 cm or more, procumbent to suberect.

Leaves:-

1) Lower long-petiolate, blade, 3-10 cm, oblong-ovate, truncate to cordate at the

base.

Flowers:-

1) With 6 segments, In small, well separated axillary whorls.

a) female flowers, sessile, at the base of the raceme.

b) male, at the top, in terminal and axillary, pedunculate clusters.

2) Perianth, persistent, indurate and forming a cover c. 5 mm long around the fruit,

a) outer, 3 segments developing spiny, patent or deflexed tips.

Fruit:-

1) Nutlet, c. 3 mm, ovoid, rounded at the base, trigonous at the apex, included in

the perianth.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Seasonally damp, often somewhat ruderalised coastal habitats,

occasionally roadsides and field margins some distance inland up to 200(-500) m.

Distribution:- W and C Med region east as far as Greece. including Portugal.

Sporadic occurrence on Crete around coastal areas.

Flowering time:- Feb-Apr

Photos by:- Steve Lenton