Family |
Asteraceae
Senecio blanchei
Soldano
Endemic to Lebanon
Senecio blanchei Soldano
≡ Senecio exilis Blanche ex Boiss. (syn., POWO)
(First published in Compositae Newslett. 20–21: 7; 1992. Treated in Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 3, p. 430, Pl. CCXLII nº 2; 1984, as Senecio exilis Blanche ex Boiss.)
• Life-form & habit: Dwarf annual 2 – 10 cm, slightly viscous, with a simple erect stem or sometimes branched from the base bearing 3–5 capitula.
• Leaves: Radical leaves very small, oblong, entire, 5 – 8 mm, tapering into a short petiole; cauline leaves linear, sinuate or sub-pinnatifid, minute, often auriculate at the base.
• Inflorescence & flowers: Capitula 8 × 5 mm borne on a slender peduncle. Involucel of 4–6 reduced bracts. Ligules yellow, somewhat revolute.
• Fruit: Achenes glabrous, striated, with a caducous pappus.
• Phenology: Flowers in September.
• Habitat & elevation: Alpine zone of Mount Lebanon, on rocky summits above 2 500 m.
• Lebanese distribution: Upper Makmel and Rikbat el-Jamal (≈ 2 650 m), Qornet es-Saouda (≈ 3 020 m).
• Native range: Endemic to Lebanon.
• ⚠️ Taxonomic note: The name Senecio blanchei Soldano (1992) replaced Senecio exilis Blanche ex Boiss., the latter being invalidly published. It represents a distinct high-alpine annual of the Makmel–Qornet es-Saouda range, characterized by its minute habit and solitary or few-headed stems.