Fumana paradoxa, Heywood

7. F. paradoxa Heywood View in CoL in Guinea, Cistàc. Esp. 174 (1954).

Laxly or densely caespitose, 3-10(-20) cm. Leaves (3—)4—7(—10) x 0-75-1-25 mm, alternate, linear, trigonous or subtrigonous, mucronate or obtuse, cibate, exstipulate. Inflorescence 1 - to 2(-3)-flowered, the flower terminal when solitary; pedicels much longer than the subtending bracts, arcuate-patent after flowering. Capsule usually 6-seeded; capsule valves widely patent; seeds retained long after dehiscence. Calcicole. • S.E. Spain (Sierra de Cazorla, S. de Segura). Hs.

A variable and puzzling species showing similarities to 2, 3 and 4, possibly the result of former hybridization. Character­ ized among other features by the fact that from 12 ovules only 6 seeds usually develop which (unlike other species) occupy the space left by the abortive ovules and fill the loculi.