Asperula crassifolia, 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 : 7

4. A. crassifolia L. , Mantissa 37 (1767)

( A. tomentosa Ten. ).

Shoots woody at the base, usually glaucous-pruinose, often with long, patent hairs. Stems 15-45 cm, often solitary, erect or geniculate-ascending; middle intemodes 1-3 times as long as the leaves. Leaves 15-30(-40) x 1 *5-2 mm, lanceolate to broadly linear, usually brownish when dry, thickish, more or less obtuse, often conspicuously crowded at the base of the stem, often in pairs from middle of stem upwards; midrib comprising less than 0.5 of width of leaf; margin distinctly revolute. Inflorescence pyramidal; partial inflorescences more or less capitate. Corolla 4*7-6*3 mm, hypocrateriform, yellowish, densely patent-hairy, sometimes subglabrous; tube 2-3 times as long as lobes. Fruit 1 *5-2*5 mm, hairy. Calcareous rocks near the coast. • S. Italy (near Napoli) ', Sardegna (Tavolara). It Sa.

Plants from Tavolara are entirely glabrous and may merit specific distinction as A. deficiens Viv. , Ann. Stor. Nat. (Bologna) 4: 231 (1830).