PETROMARULA PINNATA

Family and Genus:- See- CAMPANULACEAE

Common Names:- Petromarula

Homotypic Synonyms:- Phyteuma pinnatum, Rapunculus pinnatus.

Meaning:- Petromarula (L) Rock lettuce (derived from the Greek nétpoz (rock)

and uapoukl (lettuce).rocks).

Pinnata (L) Set in two opposite ranks, winged, feathered.

General description:- A robust perennial plant.

Stems:-

1) Up to 80 cm, glabrous, below, puberulent.

Leaves:-

1) Up to 30 cm long forming a rosette, pinnatisect.

a) lower, long-petiolate.

b) segments, coarsely dentate or lobed.

Flowers:-

1) In panicles.

2) Calyx, deeply divided at the tip in 5 (5-fid).

3) Corolla, infundibuliform, divided nearly to the base into 5 linear lobes, whitish to

deep violet-blue.

4) Stamens 5.

a) filaments, dilated at base.

b) anthers, free, but, sometimes connate.

5) Ovary 3-locular.

6) Style, exserted, glabrous,

a) stigma large, capitate,

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, dehiscing by 3 pores in the middle.

Key features:-

1) Flowers, actinomorphic.

2) Filaments, free, though anthers sometimes connate.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Calcareous cliffs & crevices, steep banks, rocky & shady places,

old stone walls (0-1200 m).

Distribution:- Cretan endemic. Widespread and common.

Flowering time:- Apr-May.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton