Androcymbium Willd. Androcymbium europaeum, (Lange) K. Richter

15. Androcymbium Willd. 1

Perennial herbs. Corms with a dark brown, coriaceous tunic. Stem short, largely subterranean, with a cylindrical, membranous spathe sometimes partly enveloping the leaves and flowers. Leaves few, borne in a rosette at the apex of the stem and forming a conspicuous involucre to the umbellate inflorescence, sheathing at the base. Flowers 1-6, white or pink, sometimes with purplish veins or spots. Perianth-segments free, with a long, narrow claw and an elliptical to lanceolate limb. Stamens inserted towards the base of the limb. Styles free. Fruit a capsule.

Perianth-segments acuminate, the limb nearly twice as long as the

claw; fruit subglobose, fracturing at the base 1. europaeum Perianth-segments acute, the limb often scarcely longer than the

claw; fruit obpyriform, remaining intact 2. rechingeri

1. A. europaeum (Lange) K. Richter , Pl. Eur. 1: 188 (1890)

( Erythrostictus europaeus Lange ).

Corms single or 2-3 one above the other. Stem 2-7 cm. Leaves 20-150x4-15 mm, linear to lanceolate, flat or slightly plicate, glabrous, patent, sometimes deflexed. Flowers 1-4, shortly pedicellate; perianth-segments (including claw) 20-25 x 2-5 mm, the limb nearly twice as long as the claw, acuminate. Filaments 3-5 mm; anthers 1-1*5 mm. Fruit 6-8 mm, subglobose, glandular-punctate, fracturing at the base. 2n=18. Dry, rocky places; calcicole. • S.E. Spain, between Almeria and Cabo de Gata. Hs.

Frequently confused with A. gramineum (Cav.) Macbride , from North Africa, which has fruits 15-20 mm.