Scleranthus annuus, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 149

2. S. annuus L. , Sp. Pl. 406 (1753) .

Annual or biennial herb with ascending stems up to 25 cm. Leaves linear, channelled, obtuse, ciliate at base. Inflorescence of axillary and terminal clusters, which are often exceeded by the bracts. Fruit 1-2- 5- 5 mm; sepals lanceolate, more or less acute, with a scarious margin not more than 0-1 mm wide. 2« = 44. Almost throughout Europe except the extreme north. All except Az BI Fa Is Sb.

1 Fruit 3-2—4-5(—5-5) mm; sepals patent (a) subsp. annuus 1 Fruit 1-2—3(—3-8) mm; sepals erect or connivent 2Sepals unequal, connivent (c) subsp. verticillatus 2Sepals equal, erect or connivent 3 Fruit 2-2~3(-3-8) mm; sepals erect or connivent (b) subsp. polycarpos 3 Fruit 1-2—1-6(—2-3) mm; sepals distinctly connivent (d) subsp. ruscinonensis