TheCerastium scaposumgroup(Caryophyllaceae):three annual taxa endemic to Crete (Greece), two of them new

Abstract

Greuter, W., Böhling, N. & Jahn, R.: The Cerastium scaposum group (Caryophyllaceae): three annual taxa endemic to Crete (Greece), two of them new. — Willdenowia 32: 45–54. 2002. — ISSN 0511-9618.Cerastium deschatresii and C. scaposum subsp. peninsularum are described as two closely related taxa new to science. C. scaposum (subsp. scaposum) was described from the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and was long believed to be restricted to the western segment of Crete, but it has been gathered once, in 1942, at the island's opposite end. It is a large-flowered, obviously outbreeding, locally abundant plant. C. scaposum subsp. peninsularum has smaller flowers, reduced petal size, and is a (perhaps facultative) selfer; it is known from several gatherings in the northwestern coastlands of Crete. C. deschatresii is more widespread, growing in scattered populations from west to east central Crete; it has minute, apetalous flowers, a distinctive capsule shape, and is a cleistogamous selfer.