Rumex scutatus, 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 : 84

8. R. scutatus L. , Sp. Pl. 337 (1753)

(incl. R. aetnensis C. Presi ).

Suffrutescent, with subterranean shoots, branching from the base. Leaves scutate, variable in outline, about as long as wide, green or glaucous. Inflorescence very lax, with few, erect branches. Pedicels shorter than the valves. Flowers polygamous. Valves 4-5-6 x 5 mm, pale, cordate, without tubercles. Nut 3-3- 5 mm, yellowish-grey. 2« = 20. Screes. Mountains of C. & S. Europe; cultivated elsewhere and sometimes escaping. Al Au Be Bu Co Cz Ga Ge Gr He Hs Hu It Ju Lu Po Rm Rs (K) Sa [Br Ho Su].

R. induratus Boiss. & Reuter , Pugillus 107 (1852), from dry habitats in Portugal and C. & S. Spain, is like 8 but with nearly leafless stems and flowering branches indurate in fruit, forming an intricate, globose mass. It probably deserves specific status.