Crucianella maritima

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 : 4

1. C. maritima l^Sp.P l. 109(1753).

Procumbent to ascending woody perennial; stems 10-50 cm, whitish, glabrous, smooth. Leaves 4—10 x 1-4 mm, in whorls of 4, ovate-lanceolate, mucronate, coriaceous and white-margined, often densely imbricate, somewhat pungent. Spike 1-3 cm; bracts 6-10 x 3-7 mm, ovate, free; bracteoles shorter than bracts, plicate, more or less connate at base. Corolla 10-13 x 2-3 mm, 5-lobed, yellow, exceeding the bract. 2« = 22. Maritime sands and rocks. W. Mediterranean region and Iberian peninsula. BI Co Ga Hs It Lu Sa Si.

Variable in growth-form. Condensed plants from maritime rocks in Malta and Lampedusa have been called C. rupestris Guss. , FI. Sic. Prodr., Suppl. 44 (1832), but their status is very doubtful.