ORLAYA DAUCOIDES

Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Orlaya kochii, Orlaya platycarpos.

Meaning:- Orlaya. Meaning unknown.

Daucoides (L) Resembling daucus, Latin for carrot.

General description:- Erect, span'ngly branched annual,

Stems:-

1) Up to 40 cm, simple or branched, slightly hairy at the base.

Leaves:-

1) Lower, triangular in outline, 2- or 3-pinnate with small, pinnatisect ultimate

segments.

Flowers:-

1) Umbels, long-pedunculate, with 2-4 rays.

2) Rays, 2-3(-4), stiff, erecto-patent.

3) Bracts, 2-3, lanceolate, usually as long as the rays;

a) bracteoles, 2-3, ovate-lanceolate to obovate, with a membranous, glabrous or

ciliate. margin.

4) Petals, white, the outer 2-3 times as long as the others.

Fruit:-

1) 8-11 mm; ovate primary ridges setulose; secondary ridges with long, uncinate

spines confluent at base.

Key features:-

1) Rays of the umbel, 2-14.

Click here for a glossary of terms used

Habitat:- Coastal habitats, dry open shrubby vegetation, field margins, olive groves,

open woodland. 0-1400 m.

Distribution:- Common throughout Greece, except some of the smaller islands. -

Mediterranean region and SW Asia eastwards to Caucasus and N Iran. Widespread

and common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Mid-Apr to mid-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton