Ainus Ainus, (Chaix) DC.

1. A. viridis (Chaix) DC. in Lam. & DC., FZ. Fr. ed 3, 3: 304 (1805).

Shrub 0-5-2-5(-4) m; buds sessile. Twigs glabrous or puberulent, greenish or red-brown. Leaves elliptical to suborbicular, cuneate to subcordate at base, biserrate, viscid when young. Catkins appearing with the leaves, in inflorescences with 2-3 leaves at base. Fruiting catkins 8-15 x 4-8 mm, usually 3-5 in a slender, pedunculate raceme. Nutlet with broad membranous wing. Mountains o f C. Europe, Corse and Balkan peninsula; N.E. Russia. Au Bu Co Cz G a Ge He H u It Ju Po Rm Rs (N, W).

This species shows considerable variation in shape and size of leaf, and in indumentum. A t least 3 subspecies can be recognized in Europe.

1 Leaves broadly ovate or suborbicular, obtuse or with a very short acumen; lower surface glabrous or with tufts of hairs in the axils of the veins (c) subsp. suaveolens 1 Leaves elliptical or ovate, acute or acuminate; lower surface usually pubescent, at least on the veins

2 Leaves 1—5(—9) cm, usually ± cuneate at base, with 5-8 pairs of lateral veins (a) subsp. viridis 2 Leaves 3—8(—12) cm, cuneate to subcordate at base, with 7-10

pairs of lateral veins (b) subsp. fruticosa