Phillyrea latifolia, 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 : 55

2. P. latifolia L. , Sp. Pl. 8 (1753)

(inch P. media L. ).

Shrub or small tree up to 15 m, with subfastigiate branches while young, later spreading; bark grey, smooth, becoming finely reticulate; twigs, buds and petioles puberulent-tomentose. Leaves dimorphic; juvenile leaves 20-70 x 10-40 mm, ovate-cordate to ovate-lanceolate, rarely lanceolate, more or less dentate or serrate; adult leaves 10-60 x 4-20 mm, lanceolate to elliptical, entire or finely serrulate; lateral veins 7-11 pairs, close, usually distinct, making a wide angle with the midrib, sinuous, clearly forked distally. Calyx thin, yellowish, lobed to f of its length; lobes triangular. Stigma elongate, with acute lobes. Drupe 7-10 mm, globose; style caducous. 2« = 46. Evergreen woods. Mediterranean region, Portugal. Al BI Bu Co Cr Ga Gr Hs It Ju Lu Sa Si Tu.

Specimens from dry calcareous places have small and thick leaves, but their taxonomic status is uncertain.

P. media L. , Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 847 (1759) represents the adult leaf-stage of 2, and so cannot be accepted as a distinct taxon.