Symphytum 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 : 103-104

18. Symphytum L. 2

Perennial, usually hispid herbs. Flowers in short ebracteate terminal cymes. Calyx lobed to i or almost to the base, accrescent. Corolla variously coloured, with cylindrical tube and tubular-campanulate limb, with triangular to semicircular lobes much shorter than the rest of the corolla; throat with 5 long scales, usually with marginal papillae. Stamens included, inserted at about the middle of the tube; filaments not more than 1 | times as long as anthers. Style exserted; stigma very small, entire. Nutlets ovoid, erect, sometimes curved, usually verruculose and often rugose, concave at the base with a thickened collar-like ring.

The number of the cauline leaves given in the descriptions does not include the pairs of leaves on the inflorescence-branches. The length of the filaments refers only to the part not concealed by the anther.

Literature: C. Bucknall, Jour. Linn. Soc. London (Bot.) 41: 491-556 (1913). B. Pawlowski, Fragm. FI. Geobot. 7: 327-356 (1961); op. cit. 17: 17-37 (1971). G. E. Wickens, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 29: 157-180 (1969).

1 Nutlets smooth, shining; connective projecting beyond thecae; filament about as wide as anther 1. officinale 1 Nutlets minutely verrucose and ±reticulate-rugose; connective usually not projecting beyond thecae; filament narrower than anther

2 Scales of corolla exserted

3 Rhizomecreeping,withtubers;corolla(excludingscales)

(7—)8—11 (—12) mm 13. bulbosum 3 Stock fusiform; corolla (excluding scales) 5-7 mm

14. ottomanum 2 Scales of corolla included

4 Plant aculeolate at least on stems and on mid-vein of the leaves beneath

5 Leaves all petiolate, or the upper subsessile but not amplexicaul or decurrent 2. asperum 5 Upper leaves sessile and shortly decurrent or at least amplexicaul 3. x uplandicum 4 Plant pubescentto rigidlyhispid,butnotaculeolate

6 Scales of corolla Ungulate, not or slightly widened in the lower part, rounded or ± emarginate at apex, the marginal papillae dense above, sparse below

7 Rhizome creeping, slender, producing ascending or procumbent non-flowering and flowering stems 8. ibiricum 7 Rhizome not creeping, or stock fusiform; non-flowering stems absent

8 Calyx lobed to j-» 12. orientale 8 Calyx lobed to at least j

9 Leaves shallowly cordate, rounded or truncate at base; corolla pale yellow; plant asperous 11. tauricum 9 Leaves mostly ±narrowed at base; corolla white or white tinged with pink; plant ±softly hispid 10 Corolla (17—)18-22 mm; scales 5-6 mm 9. davisii 10 Corolla 13-16-5 mm; scales 1-6-4 mm 10. cycladense

6 Scales of corolla lanceolate, gradually narrowed from the dilated base to the ± acute apex, the marginal papillae dense throughout

11 Corolla violet, or pink turning blue 3. x uplandicum

11 Corolla pale yellow or white

12 Corolla white; stock fusiform 7. naxicola

12 Corolla pale yellow; rhizome creeping 13 Lower leaves cordate; rhizome of ±even thickness throughout 6. cordatimi 13 Leaves not cordate; rhizome with alternate thick tuberous and thin portions 14 Connective not projecting beyond thecae 4. tuberosum 14 Connective projecting slightly beyond thecae 5. gussonei