Asperula, (DC.) Boiss

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 : 6

Sect. Cynanchicae (DC.) Boiss . (Sect. Cynanchica Griseb. ). Dwarf shrubs or perennial herbs with taproot, usually without rhizomes or stolons, caespitose. Leaves in whorls of up to 4, the cauline linear-lanceolate, 1 -veined, with a hyaline point or awn. Inflorescence pyramidal, corymbiform, or spicate to capitate; flowers with short pedicels or sessile, subtended by bracts and bracteoles. Corolla 4-merous, hypocrateriform to infundibuliform, purplish, pink, greenish, yellowish or sometimes whitish, externally hairy, papillose or smooth; anthers and stigma included. Ovary and fruit ovoid, more or less papillose or tuberculate, rarely hairy, never entirely smooth.

Most species grow on dry, open rocky ground or in dry grassland; the majority are calcicole. Data on habitat are given only for those species in which the habitat is very restricted, or different from the above.