Tordylium maximum (L) Hartwort
NOMENCLATURE
Tordylium : from Greek, Dioscorides
maximum : superlative of magnus : greater.
Jardin de Cathline (FRA) Picture Link for Tordylium maximum
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE : erect annual or biennial. HEIGHT : 130cm
STEMS : hollow or solid, ridged, short, closely appressed, deflexed bristles.
UMBELS : compound. 3-15 densely hispidulous rays 5-15 mm. Peduncle > than rays,
with short, closely appressed, deflexed bristles. Hermaphrodite.
LEAVES : outer basal simple, rest pinnate. Lower with 3-5 ovate to suborbicular, crenate
segments, cordate at base. Cauline: 5-11 ovate-lanceolate coarsely serrate segments,
cuneate at base, sometimes reduced to terminal segments. All lvs appressed-hispidulous
on both surf ces. Petiole of basal & lower cauline scarcely sheathing, upper narrow
but sheathing. Cotyledons contracted into a petiole.
BRACTS : & bracteoles 4-7 linear, hispidulous.
FLOWERS : white. Sepals 1/2 > than petals. Outer petals radiate.
Styles form stylpodium. Fl..6-7.
FRUIT : 5-6 mm, elliptical, setose, dorsally compressed. Commisure broad.
Mericarp with inner part and thick rounded part. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary,
as > as fruit. Pedicels < than fruit, hispidulous. Styles stout, divergent. Stigma capitate. 2n=20.
HABITAT : grassy places.
DISTRIBUTION : native. Local in S.E. England
on Thames estuary. S.C. Europe, S.W Asia.
BSBI Distribution Map for Tordylium maximum (UK)
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Tordylium maximum
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Wikipedia (ESP)
National Center for Biotechnology Info (USA)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002.