Scutellaria orientalis, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 135

1. S. orientalis L. , Sp. Pl. 598 (1753).

Stems up to 30 cm, decumbent, woody, sparsely tomentose. Leaves (0-5—) 1—1-5(-3) x 0-5-2 cm, ovate-oblong to broadly ovate, deeply crenate-dentate to pinnatisect with linear-lanceolate or linear lobes, truncate at base, dark green and pubescent above, grey-tomentose beneath, petiolate; margins usually recurved. Inflorescence dense, oblong, usually 4-angled. Bracts 5-12 mm, usually exceeding the calyx, imbricate, ovate or rarely more or less lanceolate, entire, acute, somewhat scarious, purplish or yellow-green, glabrous to pubescent. Corolla 15—30(—35) mm, yellow, rarely pink; lower lip often reddish. Dry, usually calcareous , rocky places. S. E. Europe, from Albania to Krym; mountains of S. E. Spain. Al Bu Gr Hs Ju Rm Rs (K) Tu.

A variable species, especially in degree of leaf-dissection and in size and shape of the bracts. Many subordinate taxa have been described but they are not well enough defined to merit subspecific rank.