Asperula cynanchica, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 10

31. A. cynanchica L. , Sp. Pl. 104 (1753)

(inch A. papillosa Lange , A. capillacea (Lange) Rouy , A. tenuiflora Jordan ).

Laxly or densely caespitose, green, sometimes glaucous-pruinose, with more or less numerous non-flowering shoots, but without subterranean stolons. Stems 10-50 cm, ascending to erect, herbaceous at base, usually rough with short hairs at base, subglabrous above; middle internodes 1-3 times as long as the leaves. Leaves (15-)20-35(-40) x 0-8-1 -5 mm, in whorls of 4 throughout, narrowly lanceolate to linear, acute; midrib comprising less than 0.5 of width of leaf; margin flat to weakly revolute. Inflorescence usually much-branched; pedicels 0- 1 mm. Corolla 2-5-3 - 5(-4) mm, broadly infundibuliform, pale purplish to whitish, usually more or less rough; tube 1-1.5(-2) times as long as lobes; lobes distinctly appendiculate. Fruit 1 -5-2 mm, papillose, rarely hairy. 2л = 20, 40. Most of Europe northwards to 54° 30' N. in England and C. Russia. Al Au Be BI Br Bu Cr Ga Ge Gr Hb He Ho Hs Hu It Ju Po Rm Rs (C, W, E) Sa Si.

Very variable and comprising diploid and tetraploid cytotypes which it has not hitherto been possible to separate. The numerous local races need further study especially in the middle and western part of the range.

Plants transitional to 1,23, 24 and 32 occur where these species meet with 31.