Calendula arvensis L.

Ghazanfar, S. A., Edmondson, J. R. & Hind, D. J. N. (Eds). (2019). Flora of Iraq, Volume 6: Compositae.Kew Publishing

Morphology General Habit

Much-branched, aromatic, annual herb to 18(–40) cm tall, ± erect and spreading or decumbent, sparsely glandular-multicellular-hairy, sometimes also arachnoid

Morphology Leaves

Leaves basal and cauline, usually oblong, occasionally narrowly oblanceolate or linear-lanceolate (1–)1.7– 7(–14.5) × 0.3–1.2(–2.5) cm, sessile, attenuate (especially basal leaves), clasping, subentire to shallowly or sinuate-dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Capitulum

Capitula 0.9–2 cm in diameter, much smaller than those of C. officinalis; fruiting capitulum 1–2 cm in diameter

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Involucral bracts 5–7.5 × 1–2 mm, ciliate, often ± erose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Receptacle up to 4 mm in diameter

Ray

Ray florets usually < 2 × involucre, yellow to orange, oblanceolate or ± strap–shaped, (5–)8–12 × 1–2.5 mm wide, with (2–)3 apical teeth and (3–)4 veins, base of floret long glandular-multicellular-hairy

Disc

Disc florets yellow or purple, (2–)2.5–5 × 1–1.5 mm, glandular-hairy externally

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

All achenes glabrous to minutely pubescent, all or inner achenes annulate, or with marginal row of cymbiform and beaked achenes, or beaked achenes absent; annulate achenes 3–5 mm in diameter, rugose along spine; cymbiform achenes 3–10 mm long, inflated, sometimes narrowly winged; beaked achenes incurved or sometimes erect, 1–2(–2.2) cm long, echinate on spine.

Ecology

In the foothills and upper plains on calcareous soil, degraded conglomerate and other stony soils, also along the banks of streams and ditches, on silty plains by roadsides and on old dry fallow, in the desert on sandy, silty and gypsiferous soils, a weed in cultivation on the alluvial plains; alt. up to 650 m;

Phenology

flowering & fruiting: (Jan.-) Feb.-May (-Jul.)

Distribution

Uncommon in the lower forest zone of Iraq, common in the Steppe and Desert  Regions including the lower Mesopotamian irrigated plains. S & SC Europe (naturalized further N), Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Sinai, Egypt, Arabia (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Yemen), Turkey, Caucasia, Iran, Afghanistan, N Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya).

Vernacular

KHUZNA (Turk., Tuz, Rawi & Gillett 10299. HANWA (Kuw., Carter, “camels feed on it but the badawin hold it is fatal if they eat too much; a local name confirmed by Dickson as HANUWA). According to Sharaf (1928) the name KAHLĀ is recorded by Ibn al-Baitar (c. 1240).