Armeria welwitschii, Boiss.

34. A. welwitschii Boiss. View in CoL in DC., Prodr. 12: 676 (1848).

Compact dwarf shrub; stock with many long branches. Leaves 50-100(-150) x (1—)2—7 mm, linear-lanceolate to linear-spathulate, acute or subacute, usually muticous, flat or somewhat convolute. Scapes 13—25(—35) cm, straight, sometimes verrucose. Sheath 25-35(-55) mm. Capitula 20-30 mm wide; outer involucral bracts as long as to much longer than the inner, acuminate, mucronate to cuspidate; inner mucronulate. Spikelets subsessile; bract at least as long as calyx, glabrous; bracteoles more or less developed. Calyx 8-10 mm; tube hirsute on ribs; awns up to 0-5(-0 - 8) mm. Corolla pink to white. 2n= 18. Maritime calcareous rocks and sands. • W.C. Portugal (from Cabo Mondego to Cascais). Lu.

Polymorphic mainly in width of leaves, size of outer involucral bracts and pubescence. Velutinous forms described as A. cinerea Boiss. & Welw. in Boiss. & Reuter, Pugillus 101 (1852), found only in the northern part of the range of the species (from Nazaré to Cabo Carvoeiro), alone or with the glabrous form, may perhaps be worthy of subspecific rank.

Plants of A. welwitschii var. platyphylla Daveau , from the northern part of the range of the species, look like small plants of 33.