Cruciata taurica, (Pallas ex Willd.) Ehrend.

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 : 37

2. C. taurica (Pallas ex Willd.) Ehrend. , Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 22: 393 (1958)

( Galium coronatum Sibth. & Sm. ).

Like 1 but usually rather woody, with strong primary root, few or no adventitious roots and few or no stolons; stems 10-30 cm, usually stout; internodes 8-13, elongating to 1 -5-4-5 cm, glabrous or with hairs up to 0-8 mm; leaves 8-18 x 4-12 mm, somewhat coriaceous, narrowly elliptical to nearly orbicular, obtuse or acute, glabrous or hairy; bracteoles enlarging, often more than 10 mm; flowers c. 2-5-4 mm; fruit usually with 1 mericarp 3-4 mm, globose, glabrous or hairy. Dry rocks and steppes. E. Greece; Krym. Gr Rs (K). (S. W. Asia.)

This polymorphic polyploid complex is represented in Europe by two subspecies.