Sibiraea altaiensis, (Laxm.) C. K. Schneider

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 6

1. S. altaiensis (Laxm.) C. K. Schneider , III. Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 485 (1905)

(5. laevigata (L.) Maxim. ).

Procumbent shrub up to 1 m. Leaves 30-80 x 6-16 mm, oblong, cuneate at the base, obtuse, mucronate, entire, glabrous. Inflorescence c. 3 cm in flower, up to 7 cm in fruit. Sepals c. 1 mm, triangular; petals 2-2-5 mm, white; hypanthium tomentose. Fruit 3-4-5 mm. Calcareous cliffs and rocks, 800-1600 m. W. Jugoslavia. Ju. (Mountains o f C. Asia.) Known in Europe from 3 localities north of Mostar and 3 in the central part of the Velebit. These are separated by over 5000 km from the nearest Asiatic localities in E. Kazakhstan and E. Siberia. The European plant has been described as var. croatica (Degen) G. Beck , but when the range of variation of the Asiatic populations is considered, it is not possible to separate the European ones. Sometimes cultivated for ornament. The plant in cultivation is usually erect and somewhat taller, with larger leaves and inflorescence. It is said to be naturalized in France.