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Schenkia spicata (L.) G.Mans. / Homotypic Synonyms: Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch, it is an annual or biennial, up to 15-60 cm long, erect, unbranched or sometimes branched from base. Leaves basal as well as cauline, basal leaves 0.7-1.25 x 0.5-1.0 cm, ovate-broadly ovate, cauline 0.4-1.25 (-1.5) x 0.2-0.7 cm; elliptic, entire, acute. Inflorescence spicate or spike-like cymes, 4-6 cm long; flowers 7-15. Flowers 8-12.5 mm long, pink, sometimes white. Calyx 5, divided to the base, unequal in length, lobes as long as corolla lobes, 3-5 x 0.5-1.5 mm, linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Corolla infundibular, 8-12.5 mm long, lobes ± equal or shorter than tube, tube 6-8 mm long, lobes 4-6 x 2-3 mm, lanceolate-elliptic, acute. Stamens 5, filament filiform, inserted below the sinuses of corolla lobes. Ovary 1-2 x 0.5-1.0 mm, lanceolate-elliptic. Fruit a many seeded capsule, 8-10 x 2-4 mm long, elliptic.  Life Form: Th ,   Flowering in: May-Oct,   Vern:—————,   Phytochoria: MED+IT, The native range of this species is Medit. to Central Asia and SW. Afghanistan.  Notes: Wild in Libya.

For more information: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77061736-1,   https://www.ipni.org/n/77061736-1,    https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000594055,   https://www.gbif.org/species/5595243,   https://africanplantdatabase.ch/en/nomen/specie/143480/centaurium-spicatum-l-fritsch,   https://www.maltawildplants.com/GENT/Schenkia_spicata.php,      https://www.preservons-la-nature.fr/flore/taxon/4329.html,   https://www.florealpes.com/fiche_centauriumspicatum.php,   https://www.florandalucia.es/index.php/schenkia-spicata

 

Distribution in Libya
Benghazi Plain
Reported from Benghazi by Keith

 

Bibliographic references:  
First: Encyclopedia Flora of Libyan:  
Ali, S.I. & Jafri, S.M.H. (1977) Flora of Libya, Gentianaceae Vol.  (22) Department of Botany, Al-Faateh Univ., Tripoli, Libya.
Second: Researches and PhD theses, master theses, Sorted by Newest: pdf files
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