Rhodiola rosea, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 363

1. R. rosea L. , Sp. Pl. 1035 (1753)

( Sedum rosea (L.) Scop. , 5. rhodiola DC.; inch R. arctica Boriss. and R. iremelica Boriss. ).

Rhizome fragrant when cut. Flowering stems 5-35 cm x 2- 6 mm, erect, not persistent when dead. Leaves orbicular-ovate to linear-oblong, usually dentate, broad-based, sometimes amplexicaul, glabrous, rather glaucous. Cymes somewhat corymbose. Petals 3-4 mm, usually dull yellow, sometimes absent. Male flowers with conspicuous but abortive carpels. Follicles reddish. 2n = 22. N. Europe, and in most o f the mountains o f C. Europe, southwards to the Pyrenees, C. Italy and Bulgaria. Au Br Bu CzFaFeGaHbHeHsIsItJuNoPoRmRs (N, C, W) Sb Su.

Very variable. Variation in leaf-shape shows some geographical consistency (long and narrow in the south, usually short and broad in the north), but variation in other features is poorly correlated, and a satisfactory basis for division into subspecies is not yet apparent.