Convolvulus schimperi Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. 11: 81. 1849. (Boissier 1849: 81).

Wood, John R. I., Williams, Bethany R. M., Mitchell, Thomas C., Carine, Mark A., Harris, David J. & Scotland, Robert W., 2015, A foundation monograph of Convolvulus L. (Convolvulaceae), PhytoKeys 51, pp. 1-282 : 187-188

180. Convolvulus schimperi Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. 11: 81. 1849. (Boissier 1849: 81). Figure 24, t. 14-19

Type.

EGYPT, Sinai, Schimper s.n. (holotype G; isotypes BM!, K!, P!).

Description.

Perennial herb from a stout woody rootstock to 50 cm in height, all parts covered in long spreading hairs, which are rust-coloured when dry. Basal leaves petiolate, 1.5-6.5 × 0.5-1 cm, obovate or oblanceolate, obtuse, margin strongly undulate, with long petiole-like base; stem leaves sessile, shorter (<2.5 cm long), linear-oblanceolate. Flowers in pedunculate heads with up to 5 flowers; bracts 1-1.5 × 0.5-0.7 cm, oblong-elliptic; peduncles 0-11 mm long, about equalling the subtending bract; bracteoles 12 × 2 mm, linear-oblanceolate; pedicels absent; outer sepals 10-11 × 2-3 mm, lanceolate, acute, villous; inner sepals narrower and shorter, c. 8-9 × 1 mm; corolla 2-2.2 cm, colour unknown, wavy at the apex, scarcely lobed, midpetaline bands pilose; ovary and style glabrous divided c. 5 mm above base, stigmas c. 5 mm. Capsule not seen. [ Sa’ad 1967: 167; Boulos 2000: 247]

Distribution.

Endemic to Sinai in Egypt (Holland s.n., MacDonald s.n., Hart s.n. [1883/4]). Apparently a rare species. Records from Arabia are errors.

Notes.

Distinguished from Convolvulus spicatus and Convolvulus jordanensis by the strongly undulate leaves. It is very similar to some forms of Convolvulus cephalopodus but distinguished by the glabrous ovary. It appears to be prostrate like Convolvulus secundus , but is distinguished by the shortly pedunculate heads as well as the distinctive leaves.