SPECIES DESCRIPTION
GALIUM GRAECUM subsp. GRAECUM
Densely hairy plants from low altitude in E Crete have been described as subsp.
pseudocanum 1)
1) "Atlas of the Aegean Flora" Book1, Arne Strid 2016.
Family and Genus:- See- RUBIACEAE/Sect. JUBOGALIUM
Common Names:- None
Homotypic Synonyms:- None
Meaning:- Galium (Gr) Milk.
Graecum (L) Grecian, from Greece.
General description:- Perennial with strongly woody rootstock and ascending,
rather brittle herbaceous stems.
Stems:-
1) (4)8-15(-20) cm, whole plant densely and softly patent-pubescent.
2) Internodes, short, basal, usually erect, 4-angled, more or less woody at the
base.
Leaves:-
1) In whorls of 5-8. (3·5-)4·5-6(-8) x 0·4-0·8 mm, narrowly linear, green, with more
or less scattered short hairs, sometimes with fascicles of smaller leaves in their
axils..
Flowers:-
1) Inflorescence oblong-ovoid rather dense and many-flowered.
2) Corolla, 1.5 mm, diam., brownish-purple;
a) lobes, shortly apiculate.
3) Bracts, 1·5-2 mm.
4) Pedicels, up to 2 mm; filiform, usually reddish.
Fruit:-
1) Mericarps, subglobose, with long patent hairs.
Key features:-
1) Mericarps, subglobose.
2) Leaves, linear, often acute or sometimes with a hyaline apex.
4) Pedicels, up to 2 mm; filiform, usually reddish.
5) Corolla, c. 1·5 mm diam.
Habitat:- Crevices of dry limestone cliffs, often in gorges. 0-800(-1500) m.
Distribution:- Endemic to Crete, E. Aegean and SW. Turkey. Widespread and
common on Crete.
Flowering time:- Late Apr to early July.
Photos by:- Steve Lenton
