LINARIA MICRANTHA

Family and Genus:- See- PLANTAGINACEAE/L. arvensis group

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Linaria parviflora

Meaning:- Linaria (Gr) Flax-like.

Micrantha (L) Small-flowered.

General description:- Glabrous, glaucous annual, sometimes bearing short

shoots with opposite leaves at the base.

Stems:-

1) Main stem(s) erect, simple or sparingly branched, 15-40 cm tall.

Leaves:-

1) Cauline, lanceolate:

a) lower, opposite or in whorls of 3 or 4.

b) upper, alternate.

Flower:-

1) Inflorescence, dense and capitate at anthesis, elongating in fruit.

2) Calyx teeth, oblong, sparsely glandular-pubescent.

3) Corolla, small (2.5-5 mm), skyblue.

a) spur, c. 1 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, c. 5 mm, broadly ellipsoid.

2) Seeds, flat, suborbicular, broadly winged, c. 1.5 mm, diam. (incl. wing);

a) disc, with conical projections, dull blackish when ripe.

Key features:-

1) Cauline leaves, lanceolate

2) Corolla, small (2.5-5 mm), skyblue.

3) Spur, c. 1 mm. c. 1.5 mm diam. (incl. wing).

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Weed of cultivated and fallow fields and olive groves, rarely in semi-natural

habitats, (0 - 600 m.). Sometimes to 1300 m. In Cretan dolines.

Distribution Mediterranean region from S. Portugal to Greece and perhaps also W.

to Anatolia. Rare on Crete with limited distribution.

Flowering time:- Mar-May.

Photos by:- Dr. Armin Jagel