Family |
Apiaceae
Torilis leptophylla
(L.) Reichenb.
Leb. Syr. Pal.
Torilis leptophylla var. erythrotricha (L.) Reichenb.
≡ Caucalis leptophylla L.
(First published in Fl. Excurs. 1831; treated in Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 2, p. 592–593; 1969)
• Life-form & habit: Annual, appressed-pubescent with setose hairs. Stems ascending, branched, 20–40 cm tall.
• Leaves: Outline oblong, bipinnatisect; segments divided into narrow linear lobes.
• Inflorescence & flowers: Umbels usually shortly pedunculate, with 2–3 short, unequal rays thickened after anthesis; the longest often in the prolongation of the peduncle. Involucel bracteoles linear-lanceolate. Flowers white.
• Fruits: Linear, with secondary ribs armed with usually three rows of glochidiate scabrid prickles, much longer than the mericarp diameter (sometimes only one row, exceptionally reduced to tubercles). Style absent, stigmas sessile.
• Variety:
– var. erythrotricha (Boiss. & Hausskn.) Zohary ≡ Torilis erythrotricha Boiss. & Hausskn.
• Style discernible, equalling the very short stylopodium. Boissier believed this correlated with reddish spines and flowers, but Mouterde showed the two characters are independent. Style occurrence is rare, sporadic, and represents only a minor variant.
• Phenology: Flowers March–June.
• Habitat & elevation: Cultivated fields, pastures, and woodlands.
• Lebanese distribution: Saïda, Beirut, Tripoli, ‘Antoura, ‘Asfouriyé, Rayfoun, Bzoummar, Jabal Terbol, village of Terbol, ‘Akkar, Menges, Ehden, Hasroun, Afqa, Baskinta, Jabal Kneissé, ‘Aïn Zehalta, Tannourine-el-Foqa‘, Mchaïtiyé–Deir el-Ahmar, ‘Ammiq, Baalbeck, Masna‘a, Nebi Chiite.
• Syrian distribution: Banias, Bhamra, Madaya, Yabroud, Souq Ouadi Barada, Bloudane, Jabal Ma‘loula, Jabal Qasyoun, Jabal Dmeir, Qrahta, Jabal Krim, ‘Aïn Khadra, Babeska, Tell ‘Aqibrine, Hama, Homs, Qamechliyé, Tell Kalakh, Banias, Jabal Daoua, Jabal Bilas, Soueida, Kafer.
• Native range: Lebanon, Syria, Palestine (POWO).