GEOCARYUM CRETICUM

Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Huetia cretica

Meaning:- Geocaryum (L) Earth-nut.

Creticum (L) From Crete, Cretan.

General description:- Perennial, procumbent, dwarf plant.

Stems:-

1) 3-12 cm. procumbent, moderately branched from the base.

Leaves:-

1) Mostly basal, broadly triangular in outline, 2- or 3-pinnate; ultimate segments

elliptical, 3-6 x c. 2 mm.

Flowers:-

1) Umbels, terminal.

2) Rays, 2-5.

3) Pedicels, c. 3 mm. apex, without teeth.

4) Bracts, lacking;

a) bractlets, 2 or 3, ovate-lanceolate, glabrous or ciliate, pubescent.

5) Petals, white, deeply notched.

6) Anthers, dark red.

7) Styles, fruiting, 1.5 mm, smoothly backward-curving.

Fruit:-

1) 4,5-5 mm, narrowly lanceolate, ridges minutely toothed.

Key features:-

1) Anthers, dark red.

2) Bracteoles, ciliate.

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Habitat:- Stony and rocky calcareous slopes, dolines and screes. 1100-2050 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to the Dikti massifs E. Crete. Also recorded from Kedros

and Psiloritis to the west.

Flowering time:- May-July

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Rare (R) according to IUCN 1997

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981