LINARIA TRIPHYLLA

Family and Genus:- See- PLANTAGINACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Linaria (Gr) Flax-like.

Triphylla (Gr) Three leaved.

General description:- Hairless annual, covered somewhat with a waxy bloom

Stem:-

1) Simple or moderately branched from the base, suberect, rather robust, 15-35 cm

tall.

Leaves:-

1) 15-35 x 10-25 mm, elliptical, somewhat fleshy, usually in whorls of 3 below and

opposite or occasionally alternate above; truncate or semi-amplexicaul at the

base.

Flower:-

1) Inflorescence, a dense terminal raceme.

2) Calyx teeth, 4-8 mm, ovate-oblong, obtuse.

3) Corolla, rather large and showy, 22-30 mm long (incl.spur), pale yellow with a

darker yellow palate.

a) spur, 7-9 mm, slightly curved, purple.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, c. 7 mm, subglobose.

2) Seeds, c. 1.5 mm, acutely angled, rugose-alveolate, greyish-brown.

Key features:-

1) Leaves, elliptical, the lower in whorls of 3 the middle and upper opposite or

alternate.

2) Corolla, 22-30 mm, particoloured.

3) Spur, 7-9 mm.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Cultivated and fallow fields and olive groves, occasionally in dry open

shrubby vegetation or open woodland. 0-700 m.

Distribution:- Mediterranean region from Spain to the Aegean area. Sporadic on

Crete with limited distribution in the west and central regions. Becoming rare and

vanishing over much of it's range.

Flowering time:- Late Mar to May.

Photos by:- Giorgos Tsanousas