| Caryophyllaceae |
|---|
Acanthophyllum acerosum SOSN. |
Acanthophyllum C. A. MEYER |
| A. acerosum Sosn. in Mon. Jard. Bot. Tiflis 11:7 (1915), non Bark. in Wentia 9: 180 (1962). Syn: A. confertiflorum Rech. in Anz. Akad. Wiss. Wien 1961 (1): 10(1961): Low shrub, cushion-shaped, papillose-pubescent, stems numerous, + intricately branched, 5-15 cm, prostrate-ascending. Leaves fasciculate, needle-like, ± pubescent, 10-13 x 0-3-0-5 mm, spreading, ending in hard yellowish glabrous spines. Internodes 7-10(-13) cm. Clusters of flowers terminal and in the axils of the uppermost leaves, many-flowered. Bracts leaf-like, linear-lanceolate, erect, rigid, spiny, at base with membranous ciliate margins, 8-10 mm, longer than the flowers; flower-heads together with bracts 15-20 mm diam. Calyx tubular-turbinate, 4-6 mm, 5-costate, densely pubescent, teeth lanceolate, prickly, very unequal, 1-3 mm. Petals white, linear-oblong, retuse, 6-8 mm. Capsule obovate to globose. Seeds smooth. Fl. 7-9. Mountain steppe, volcanic slopes, 1600-2000 m. Syntypes: [Turkey A9 Erzurum] d. Olty [Oltu], prope p. Tausker, in rupestribus, 3 vii 1912, Sosnowsky (TBI); inter pp. Olor [Olur] et Norpet, in rupestribus, 7 vii 1912, Sosnowsky (TBI, LE, photo. E!). A9 Kars: Sarikamiş (Grossheim 3: map 318). B9 Van: Toprak Kale nr. Van, 1620-1800 m, Hub.-Mor. 9320! Erek Da., 1950 m, D. 22955! N. Iraq, N.W. Iran. Ir.-Tur. element. The only low, densely tufted species of Sect. Turbinaria. |