THAPSIA GARGANICA

Family and Genus:- See- UMBELLIFERAE

Common Names:- Thapsia

Homotypic Synonyms:- Thapsia decussata

Meaning:- Thapsia (Gr) A name used by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus for

a poisonous plant.

Garganica (L) From Monte Gargano, S Italy.

General description:- Robust perennial, rootstock crowned with fibrous collar.

Stem:-

1) Generally 40-80 cm tall. stout, terete, striate, sparingly branched.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, large, 3- or 4-pinnate into linear ultimate segments.

2) Upper, ± reduced to conspicuous sheaths.

Flowers:-

1) Umbels, large, with 5-25 rays, yellow.

2) Rays of the central umbel, 8-18, subequal, 8-12 cm long.

3) Bracts, absent.

Fruit:-

1) 12-20 mm, dorsally compressed, broadly oblong, with wide, thin, shining lateral

wings.

Key features:-

1) Ultimate lobes of the leaves, entire or with 1-2 teeth.

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Habitat:- Dry rocky and stony habitats in dry open shrubby vegetation, fallow fields,

olive groves, archaeological sites. 0-900(-1300) m.

Distribution:- Ionian Islands SW Europe and the Mediterranean region to SW

Anatolia. On Crete mainly confined to the central eastern region where it is locally

common.

Flowering time:- Apr-June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton