Torilis arvensis, (Hudson) Link

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 371

2. T. arvensis (Hudson) Link , Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 265 (1821).

Usually erect annual up to 100 cm. Leaves very variable, from 2-pinnate to 3-foliolate; lobes at least 2 mm wide, coarsely toothed, remotely serrate or subentire. Rays 2-12. Bracts 0-1; bracteoles numerous. Fruit 3-6 mm; both mericarps spiny, or the outer spiny and the inner tuberculate; rarely the whole fruit covered with tubercles. 2« =12. W., S. & C. Europe. Al Au Az Be BI *Br Bu Co Cr Cz Ga Ge G r He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Lu Po Rm Rs (W, K, E) Sa Si Tu.

A difficult complex, here divided into subspecies, all of which have been accorded specific recognition by various authors. It is urgently in need of revision using modern methods.

1 Rays 4-12

2Styles 3-6 times as long as the stylopodium; outer petals distinctly radiate (a) subsp. neglecta

2 Styles 2-3 times as long as the stylopodium; outer petals only slightly radiate (b) subsp. arvensis

1 Rays 2—3(—4)

3 Rays 2(-4), rather robust, widely diverging, usually forming an angle of c. 90°; upper leaves similar to lower but reduced; fruit 5-6 mm (c) subsp. elongata

3 Rays (2—)3(—4), slender, usually forming an angle of 45-60°; upper leaves usually with linear, remotely serrate to entire segments; fruit 4-5 mm (d) subsp. purpurea