Peucedanum cervaria
Peucedanum cervaria is a herbaceous plant in the genus Peucedanum belonging to the carrot family Apiaceae.
Peucedanum cervaria | |
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Umbel of Peucedanum cervaria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Apiaceae |
Genus: | Peucedanum |
Species: | P. cervaria |
Binomial name | |
Peucedanum cervaria (L.) Cusson ex Lapeyr. | |
Synonyms | |
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Description
Peucedanum cervaria reaches on average 40–120 centimetres (16–47 in) in height, with a maximum of 150 centimetres (59 in). The stems are cylindrical, glabrous and erect. They are more or less branched and the leaves are slightly blue-green and two to three times pinnatifid. The large umbels have 9 to 30 rays bearing small white flowers. The flowering period extends from July through September in their native habitat.[2]
This plant has its overwintering buds situated just below the soil surface (hemicryptophyte) and an almost leafless stalk growing directly from the ground (scapose).[3] The fruits are oval, about 4 to 6 mm long and 3 to 4 mm wide, with narrow marginal ridges.
Distribution
This plant is a sub-Mediterranean species widespread in southern and central Europe, from Spain, Italy and the Balkan Peninsula up to central Russia.[4]
Habitat
Peucedanum cervaria grows singly or in loose groups on light-rich, chalky, dry places, occasionally in semi-arid grassland, at an altitude of 0 to 1,200 metres (0 to 3,937 ft) above sea level.
Gallery
- Close-up of flowers of Peucedanum cervaria
- Image from Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen, 1796
- Plant of Peucedanum cervaria
- Umbel of Peucedanum cervaria, lateral view
- Leaves of Peucedanum cervaria
References
- Botany.cz
- Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982, Vol. II, p. 232
- Altervista
- Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993 Peucedanum