ONOSMA GRAECA

Family and Genus:- See- BORAGINACEAE

Common Names:- Golden drops

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Onosma (Gr) Ass-smell (reputed to attract asses).

Graeca (L) Grecian, Greek.

General description:- Robust biennial, covered throughout with a harsh

indumentum of simple, patent bristles 5-8 mm long, mixed with much shorter and

thinner hairs.

Stems:-

1) 20- 40 cm tall, multi-branched, with patent hairs.

Leaves:-

1) In a basal rosette, 7-15 cm, lanceolate to broadly linear.

2) Cauline, much shorter, oblong-lanceolate.

Flowers:-

1) Corolla, 8-15mm, tomentose, pale yellow when young, tuming orange-brown.

a) Anthers, shorter than the filaments.

Fruit:-

1) Nutlets, 6-7 mm, tuberculate.

Key features:-

1) All setae, simple.

2) Corolla, 8-15 mm.

3) Nutlets, 6-7 mm, tuberculate.

4) Corolla, c. 1½ times as long as calyx.

5) Anthers, shorter than filaments.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Rocky and stony slopes in low open scrubland, gorges, fallow terraces,

olive groves, 0-1200 m.

Distribution:- S Greece, S Aegean Is. and Crete. Widespread and common on

Crete.

Flowering time:- Mar-June

Photos by:- Steve Lenton