Silene chlorifolia Sm.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2016) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 1: Elatinaceae to Sphenocleaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, up to 80 cm, with a woody stock

Morphology Stem

Stems leafy, many, erect, glabrous, viscid above

Morphology Leaves

Leaves and stems glaucescent Basal leaves few, withering away Cauline leaves 15–36 × 12–35 mm, reducing in size above, orbicular, ovate-cordate to ovate-lanceolate, obovate or lanceolate; apex sharply acute to mucronate, base amplexicaul or attenuate, surfaces glabrous, margin ± ciliate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts similar to cauline leaves but very reduced in size

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a spreading panicle, with the lateral branches bearing 1–3 flowers

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 26–35 mm, cylindric, tapering below; in fruit clavate and constricted below the capsule, coriaceous, glabrous, purple-red when young, yellow-brown at maturity Calyx teeth triangular, ciliate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white or greenish; limb 10–11 mm, ½ divided; claw 22–23 mm, auricles obscure; coronal scales oblong

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Anthophore 14–15 mm, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule ± 17 × 8 mm, conical, partially exserted from calyx

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed ± 2.4 mm, smooth, grooved at back.

Note

S chlorifolia is extremely variable in the shape and size of its cauline leaves. Another species, S swertiifoliaBoiss. is a closely related species with similar morphological characters and the same distribution range as S. chlorifolia. S. swertiifolia is differentiated from S. chlorifolia basically on its cauline leaves which are ovate to obovate in the former and orbicular to ovate-orbicular in the latter. Both species exhibit intermediate forms as well where the two occur together; based on leaf-shape alone it is superfluous to recognise S. chlorifolia and S. swertiifolia as two distinct species, and therefore S swertiifolia is best treated at a subspecific rank awaiting molecular and cytological studies.

Ecology

Slopes and open stony places, steep mountain slopes, on rocks and in Quercus forest; alt. 1000– 1600 m;

Phenology

Flowering: May–Jun., fruiting: Jun.–Aug.

Distribution

Iraq: Locally common and found frequently. Iran, Lebanon.