Family |
Convolvulaceae
Convolvulus scammonia
L.
Convolvulus scammonia L.
(First published in Sp. Pl.: 153 (1753); Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 2; 1969)
• Life-form & habit : Perennial geophyte with a thick, deep rootstock; stems climbing or trailing, slender, twining, up to 1–3 m long, glabrous.
• Leaves : Alternate, petiolate; blades triangular to hastate (3–8 cm), with two spreading basal lobes; margins entire; surfaces glabrous, green.
• Inflorescence & flowers : Axillary, solitary or few-flowered; peduncles slender; flowers large, funnel-shaped, white, 4–6 cm long; sepals ovate, glabrous; bracteoles small, distant from the calyx.
• Fruit : Capsule globose, glabrous, dehiscent; seeds few, dark brown.
• Phenology : Flowers from May to July.
• Habitat & elevation : Rocky slopes, scrub, woodland edges and disturbed ground; 0–1500 m.
• Lebanese distribution : Widespread, especially in Mount Lebanon and foothill regions; locally common.
• Native range : East Aegean Is., Iraq, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Sinai, Türkiye.
• Diagnostic remarks : Easily recognised by its large white flowers and hastate leaves; distinguished from other Convolvulus species by its robust rootstock and strong climbing habit.