Rubia peregrina, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 38

1. R. peregrina L. , Sp. Pl. 109 (1753)

(inch R. reiseri Halácsy ex Hayek).

Stem 30-120 cm, climbing, glabrous or retrorseaculeolate; lower part of stem woody and persistent. Leaves 15-60x 3-20 mm, in whorls of 4-8, linear to broadly ovateelliptical, coriaceous, dark green, the lateral veins usually obscure. Cymes 4-10 cm, many-flowered, exceeding the leaves. Corolla 4-6 mm in diameter, yellowish-green; lobes 2-3 mm, cuspidate; anthers 0-2-0-3 mm, orbicular-ovate to suborbicular. 2n = 44. Hedges, thickets and rocky ground. S. & W. Europe, northwards to c. 53° 30' N. in W. Ireland. Al Az BI Br Co Cr Ga Gr Hb Hs It Ju Lu Sa Si Tu.

Extremely variable in the shape and size of the leaves.

R. angustifolia L. , Mantissa 39 (1767) (R. peregrina var. balearica Willk. ), from Islas Baléares, and perhaps also occurring in S. Spain, differs from 1 in being intricately caespitose, in having linear leaves 10-20 x 1-4 mm, scabrid, retrorse-aculeolate on both surfaces and with revolute margins, and in having shorter, scarcely cuspidate corolla-lobes. It has 2n = 66. Its status is uncertain, but it may be specifically distinct.