Coris 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 : 29

14. Coris L. 1

Perennial or biennial. Stems woody at the base. Leaves alternate, subsessile. Flowers zygomorphic, in a terminal spike-like raceme. Calyx campanulate, with 2 rows of teeth. Corolla-tube short; limb unequally 5-partite to c. |; lobes unequally bifid. Stamens exserted. Capsule globose; valves 5. Seeds 4-6, papillose.

Literature: F. Pax & R. Knuth in Engler, Pflanzenreich 22(IV. 237): 344-346 (1905). F. Masclans, Collect. Bot. (Barcelona) 7 (2, n.42): 749-758 (1968).

Up to 8 taxa have been recognized in Europe, mainly on the basis of indumentum and habit. Only the 2 following show consistent ecological and geographical separation.

Flowers pink, purple or blue; outer calyx-teeth 6-21, unequal

1. monspeliensis Flowers white or pale pink; outer calyx-teeth 0-4, equal 2. hispanica