Galium austriacum, Jacq.

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 : 32

111. G. austriacum Jacq. , Fl. Austr. 1: 51 (1773).

Plant shining metallic green when dry, caespitose, with stolons. Stems (8-)12-20(-30) cm, scarcely more than 0-8 mm in diameter, usually glabrous and smooth, sometimes with patent hairs, red at the base; middle internodes (2-)3-4(-5) cm, 1^-2| times as long as the leaves. Leaves (7-)10-20(-28) x 0-5-1 -2(-2-2) mm, usually in whorls of 7-9, linear-lanceolate to linear, (10—) 11-24(-27) times as long as wide, somewhat coriaceous; margin more or less revolute, with some patent or retrorse scabridity, sometimes glabrescent or hairy. Inflorescence with long branches almost from the base, broadly ovoid, many-flowered, the partial inflorescences lax; pedicels 1-2 mm. Corolla 1-3 mm in diameter, whitish; lobes acute. Fruit 1-1-5 mm, smooth or obtusely papillose. 2л = 22, 44. Grassland and coniferous woodland', calcicole. • S. C. Europe, from the E. Alps to the W. Carpathians. Au Cz Hu?It Ju.

Various eco-geographical diploid and tetraploid races may deserve the rank of subspecies. Plants transitional to 112 occur in the Alps and Carpathians.