RHAMNUS SAXATILIS subsp. PRUNIFOLIA

Family and Genus:- See- RHAMNACEAE/Sect. RHAMNUS

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Rhamnus prunifolia

Meaning:- Rhamnus (Gr) Ancient name for various prickly shrubs.

Saxatilis (L) Living in rocky places, of the rocks.

Prunifolia (L) Plum-leaved.

General description:- Rigid, much-branched, deciduous shrublet up to 50 cm

Branches:-

1) Usually opposite, divaricate, ending in a stout thom.

Leaves:-

1) Usually 10-25 mm, rather thin, elliptical to broadly obovate, with 1-3 pairs of

arching lateral veins, serrulate.

2) Petiole, not or a little longer than the stipules.

Flowers:-

1) Yellowish green, 3 mm diam., joined together in clusters at the axil of the leaves.

2) Perianth, with 4 partly fused tepals.

3) Stamens, 4

Fruit:-

1) Drupe, 5-8 mm, broadly obovoid, ± truncate, 2- or 3-lobed, blackish when ripe.

Key features:-

1) Lamina of leaves on short shoots 3-6 times as long as the petiole.

2) Petiole, not or scarcely longer than stipules.

3) Leaves, mostly less than 1 cm. oblong or ovate.

4) Lateral veins, inconspicuous.

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Habitat:- Limestone cliffs, rocky slopes and ridges. (100-)400-1900(-2300) m.

Distribution:- Balkans and the eastern Aegean islands, Limited distribution on

Crete, confined to the four main massifs.

Flowering time:- Apr-June

Photos by:- Steve Lenton