Beilis L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1976, Flora Europaea. Volume 4. Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), Cambridge University Press : 111

5. Beilis L. 2

Small annual or perennial herbs, often scapose. Leaves alternate or basal, entire to serrate-crenate. Capitula solitary, pedunculate. Involucral bracts in 2 rows, subequal, herbaceous. Receptacle conical to nearly flat; scales absent. Outer florets ligulate, female; ligules entire or subentire, patent, white, often tinged with purplish-crimson. Inner florets 4- or 5-lobed, yellow; corolla-tube campanulate. Achenes compressed, with thickened margin; pappus absent, rarely represented by a ring of very short bristles.

In several species the development of the stem varies greatly with environmental conditions; normally scapose species can show well-developed leafy stems in damp, shady habitats, and the opposite tendency can be seen under the influence of drought or heavy grazing.

Literature: E. Caramo & V. Bambacioni, Ann. Bot. (Roma) 16: 9-70 (1926). 1 Annual, usually with leafy stems; roots very slender 1. annua 1 Perennial; roots fleshy

2 Stems up to 15 cm, leafy, decumbent to ascending; receptacle nearly flat; achenes glandular 4. azorica 2 Plant normally scapose; receptacle conical; achenes not glandular

3 Lamina cordate, truncate or shortly cuneate at base, passing

± abruptly into a distinct petiole

4 Leaves reniform-orbicular to broadly oblong-ovate; petiole 4-18 cm, usually much longer than lamina 7. rotundifolia 4 Leaves oblanceolate to broadly obovate-spathulate; petiole not more than 3-5 cm, usually equalling or shorter than lamina

5 Leaves not more than 10x6 mm, usually entire; peduncles

1-6 cm; achenes glabrous 3. bernardi

5 Leaves 10-60x4-25 mm; peduncles 4-15(-25)cm; achenes pubescent 2. perennis 3 Lamina cuneate, passing gradually into a scarcely distinct petiole 6 Leaves up to 25 mm wide, dark green, 3-veined; involucral bracts (5—)7—12 mm, ± acute 6. sylvestris 6 Leaves not more than 15 mm wide, bright green, 1-veined; involucral bracts 3-6 mm, usually obtuse 7 Leaves conspicuously crenate-serrate; achenes glabrous 5. longifolia 7 Leaves subentire to obscurely crenate-serrate; achenes pubescent 2. perennis