Lychnis 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 : 156

25. Lychnis L. 1

Erect perennials. Flowers 5-merous; aestivation contorted. Epicalyx absent. Calyx-tube 10-veined, with 5 short teeth. Limb of petal more or less distinct from claw; coronal scales present; stamens 10; styles usually 5, opposite calyx-teeth. Fruit a capsule, dehiscing usually with 5 teeth; carpophore short or long. Seeds not bearded at hilum. (Inch Coronaria Schaeffer , Poly- schemone Schott and Viscaria Bernh. )

1 Leaves and stems densely villouswith white hairs 2 Inflorescence + capitate; petals 2-lobed 3. flos-jovis 2 Flowers long-stalked in a lax inflorescence; petals entire or emarginate 2. coronaria 1 Stems and leaves not villous 3 Petals deeply 4-lobed with linear, patent lobes; rarely broadly 2-lobed with toothed lobes 4. flos-cuculi 3 Petalsentire,emarginateor 2-lobedwithentirelobes 4 Leaves and lower part of stems sparsely hispid or pubescent 5 Calyx more than 10 mm; leaves sparsely hispid 1. chalcedonica 5 Calyx less than 10 mm; leaves pubescent with crispate hairs 5. sibirica 4 Leaves glabrous or ciliate:lower part of stems glabrous 6 Calyx less than 6 mm; inflorescence ± capitate 7. alpina 6 Calyx more than 6 mm; inflorescence not capitate 7 Inflorescence many-flowered 6. viscaria 7 Inflorescence 1 - to 3-flowered 8. nivalis