LINARIA SIMPLEX

Family and Genus:- See- PLANTAGINACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Antirrhinum parviflorum, Linaria parviflora

Meaning:- Linaria (Gr) Flax-like.

Simplex (L) Undivided, entire, single.

General description:- Short to medium waxy-green annual, hairless except for

the glandular hairy inflorescence; stems erect.

Leaves:-

1) 12-30 x 1-2·5 mm, linear-lanceolate:

a) lower, whorled.

b) upper, alternate.

Flower:-

1) Racemes, lax in fruit.

2) Corolla, 5-9 mm, pale yellow, often with violet veins.

a) spur, 2-3·5, straight or slightly curved.

Fruit:-

1) Seeds, 1·5-2·3 mm; disc, smooth or tuberculate.

Key features:-

1) Corolla, 5-9 mm, yellow, often with violet veins.

2) Spur, 2-3·5, straight or slightly curved.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Fallow fields, olive groves, open woodland and sandy coastal habitats. 0-

800 m. occasionally to 1600 m.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece, but less common in the W and far NE -.

Widespread in the Mediterranean region and SW Asia to Caucasia and Iran.

Sporadic on Crete with limited distribution.

Flowering time:- Mar to early June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton