| Caryophyllaceae |
|---|
Arenaria dianthoides SMITH |
Arenaria L. |
| A. dianthoides Smith, Ic. PI. Ined. 16, t. 16 (1789). Ic: Grossh., Fl. Kavk. 3: t. 21 f. 5 (1945); Fl. Armenii 2: t. 20 (1956). Like A. cucubaloides but entirely glabrous; cauline leaf sheaths much longer (12-25 mm); flowers usually densely compacted into terminal heads (occasionally also a few flowers below); pedicels 0-3 mm; sepals 4•5-7 mm, ovate to ovate-oblong; petals 2-2+ x longer than sepals. Fl. 5-7. Stony meadows, 1800-2450 m. Type: [Turkey] sponte nascitur in Armenia, Tournefort. A9 Kars: SW side of Kisir Da., 2300 m, D. 30493! B9 Erzurum: Tech Da. above Erzurum, 2135-2440 m, vii 1853, Huet ! Van: summit of Çuhgediği pass, 2800 m, Hub.-Mor. 11081! B1O Ağri: Ağri Da. (Grossheim 3: map. 235). Georgia, Soviet Armenia, N.W. Iran. Ir.-Tur. element. Plants apparently intermediate between this species and A. cucubaloides have been collected by Roop near Sarikamiş (A9 Kars) and on Yağmurlu Da. in the same area by Davis & Hedge (D. 30764). They have been named respectively as A. cucubaloides var. confertiflora Bordz. and A. dianthoides var. paniculata McNeill, and may come from hybrid populations (cf. McNeill in Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 24: 294-5, 1963). |