VALANTIA APRICA

Family and Genus:- See- RUBIACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Galium apricum, Valantia aristata.

Meaning:- Valantia (L) For Sebastien Vaillant (Valantius) (1669-1722), French

physician and botanist.

Aprica (L) Sun-loving, of exposed places.

General description:- Mat-forming perennial with a woody rootstock

Stems:-

1) Usually numerous, 5-20 cm long, decumbent to ascending, simple or sparingly

branched, slender.

Leaves:-

1) In whorls of 4,3-6 x 1·5-2·5 mm, somewhat fleshy, obovate, apex obtuse or

mucronate.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, cylindrical, composed of short, axillary cymes.

a) central flower, hermaphrodite, 4-merous. c. 2·5 mm diam, rotate, yellowish-

white to pinkish.

b) lateral flowers, 2 male, 3-merous.

2) Peduncle and pedicels, broadly coalescent, usually with dorsal bristles, not

tightly encircling fruit.

Fruit:-

1) Mericarp, 1-2, 1·4-1·6 mm, solitary, reniform, papillose or glabrous, usually

remaining within the peduncle and pedicel cavity.

Key features:-

1) Hermaphrodite flowers, about 2·5 mm.

2) Mericarp, 1-2, 1·4-1·6 mm, solitary, reniform, papillose or glabrous,

Click here for a glossary of terms used

Habitat:- Rock ledges, rocky slopes, damp screes and doline. (700-)1200-2400 m.

on limestone or occasionally other substrates.

Distribution:- Mountains from Taigetos to the NW borders. also on Kerkira, -

Extending into Albania. On Crete confined to the three main massifs.

Flowering time:- May-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton