Biscutella laevigata, 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 : 326-327

1. B. laevigata L. , Mantissa Alt. 255 (1771).

Stems 10-50 (-70) cm, simple or branched. Basal leaves 1-5-13 x 0-3-2 cm, forming an obvious rosette or not, linear- to ovate-lanceolate, ovate or rarely spathulate, entire, sinuate-dentate or denticulate, glabrous or hairy; cauline leaves 2-10, resembling the basal leaves or small, linear, entire. Flowers in lax or dense racemes. Petals 4-8 mm, clawed. Silicula 4—8(—15) x 8—14(—30) mm, glabrous or hairy; style 2-6 mm. Mainly in C. & S. Europe, frequently on mountains.

Au Be Bu Cr Cz G a Ge He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Po Rm Rs (W). One of the most polymorphic species in the European flora. Studies by Manton (Zeitschr. Indukt. Abstamm. Vererbungslehre 47: 41-57 (1933); and Ann. Bot. nov.ser. 1: 439-62(1937)) have shown that the group contains a series of both diploid and tetraploid populations. The diploids with 2«= 18 are known from few localities and found at low altitudes from France (? and Portugal and Spain) to the Balkan peninsula; the tetraploids, however, with 2n= 36, are found mainly in the Alps and in the mountains of S. & S.E. Europe. Morphological differentiation of the populations is weak, and they are best regarded as subspecies of a single species. Union of all the diploids into one species and all the tetraploids into another as suggested by Manton has not proved feasible. The more distinct units are keyed below. Many others remain to be characterized, especially in the western part of the range. This treatment is a modification of that given by MachatschkiLaurich and is similar to the one adopted by Markgraf in Hegi, III. Fl. Mitteleur. ed. 2, 4 (1): 388-94 (1963). 1 Plant completely glabrous, shining; basal leaves up to 8(—13) xO-8-l-5cm, petiolate, forming an obvious rosette; petals

7 mm (m) subsp. lucida 1 At least the leaves hairy; petals usually less than 7 mm

2 Leaves hispid

3 Siliqua up to 15 x 30 mm; basal leaves rigid (1) subsp. montencgrina

3 Siliqua much smaller; basal leaves not rigid

4 Basal leaves up to 4 cm, ovate to cuneate-lanceolate, narrowed towards the base but not petiolate, forming a rosette which is ±appressed to the ground

5 Basal leaves ovate or spathulate, rounded; siliqua 6-7 x

12-13 mm (k) subsp. illyrica 5 Basal leaves cuneate-lanceolate or obovate, apiculate;

siliqua 5(-8)x 10(—12) mm (b) subsp. austriaca 4 Basal leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, petiolate, erect

6 Stems pubescent or glabrous at base; cauline leaves 3-6,

linear (i) subsp. tirolensis 6 Stems hispid at base; cauline leaves few, minute

7 Basal leaves up to 13 x 2 cm, lanceolate, sinuate-dentate;

stems branched (a) subsp. laevigata 7 Basal leaves 3-5 xc. 0-3 cm, linear-lanceolate, entire;

stems unbranched (j) subsp. angustifolia 2 Leaves finely pubescent

8 Leaves deeply sinuate-dentate

9 Basal leaves up to 8 x 1-2 cm, lanceolate (g) subsp. varia 9 Basal leaves 3-4 x O-5-O-7(-l) cm, linear to oblong

(h) subsp. subaphylla 8 Leaves dentate or subentire

10 Basal leaves with acute teeth; cauline leaves few, minute

(c) subsp. kerneri 10 Basal leaves entire or somewhat denticulate; cauline leaves numerous 11 Basal leaves up to 8 x 1-0-1-5 cm, entire

(f) subsp. guestphalica 11 Basal leaves up to 5 x 0-8(—1) cm, dentate 12 Basal leaves lanceolate, with acute teeth, ±long-petiolate; stems branched (d) subsp. gracilis 12 Basal leaves oblong, with obtuse teeth, shortly petiolate;

stems unbranched (e) subsp. tenuifolia