Flora-Fauna

Potentilla geranioides var. syriaca Boiss.

First published in Flora Orientalis 2: 721 (1872)

(Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 1, Potentilla spp. treatment; 1966)

• Life-form & habit: Perennial herb of high mountains, forming compact tufts; stems short, ascending, often partly hidden within surrounding vegetation or rocks.

• Leaves: Characteristically shorter than those of the typical form; segments likewise shorter and more compact. Indumentum slightly glandular (Mouterde: “revêtement légèrement glanduleux”). Basal leaves long-petiolate, palmately divided.

• Inflorescence & flowers: Cymes few-flowered; petals yellow, typical of Potentilla, slightly exceeding the sepals; sepals lanceolate and persistent.

• Fruit: Achenes numerous, smooth, typical of the genus.

• Phenology: Late spring to summer.

• Habitat & elevation: Montane to high-montane rocky habitats; often growing in crevices, among stones, or along subalpine turf.

• Lebanese distribution: Reported by Mouterde from Barouk, Kneissé, Sannine, Makmel, Rahoué, Tannourine, Ehden, the Cedars, Aïnata, Hermon, and surrounding high mountain sectors.

• Native range: Lebanon, Syria.

• ⚠️ Taxonomic note: Mouterde states explicitly that var. syriaca is the only form present in Lebanon and Syria, distinguished from the type by its shorter leaves, shorter segments, and light glandular coating.