Asyneuma persicum (A.DC.) Bornm.

Ghazanfar, S. A. & Edmondson, J. R (Eds). (2014) Flora of Iraq, Volume 5 Part 2: Lythraceae to Campanulaceae.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, much branched from base

Morphology Stem

Stems and branches erect or ascending, slightly scabrid or hairy, greenish, 20–40 cm long

Morphology Leaves

Leaves scabrid or hairy; radical leaves petiolate, decurrent, 10–12 × 1–4 mm, the uppermost leaves small, lanceolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers pedicellate or subsessile, bracteolate, in spikes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx hairy all over or sometimes glabrous or subglabrous; calyx lobes triangular-lanceolate, 1–4 × 0.5–1 mm, usually reflexed; calyx tube ovate-turbinate, 1.5–2.5 × 1–1.5 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla hirsute all over, or sometimes almost glabrous, longer than calyx lobes, corolla tube 1/3–1/4 the length of the lobes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5, free, filaments dilated at base, 1.5–2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style hairy, 8–10 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule nodding, ovoid, 3–5 × 2–4 mm, dehiscing by 3 lateral valves near base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds small, yellow-brown, 2–3 × 1–1.3 mm.

Ecology

Dry rocky mountain slopes, on barren metamorphic rock, on serpentine and limestone, on a cliff face with S aspect, on scree, occasionally near streams; alt. (1500–)1800–3000(–3300) m

Phenology

Flowering and fruiting: Jul.–Aug.(–Sep.).

Distribution

Common in the central sector of the alpine and subalpine thorn-cushion zones of Iraq, occasional in the upper forest area. Turkey (SE Anatolia), W & S Iran.

Note

This shrubby herb is said to be locally known in Halgurd district as BURRUK (Kurd. Guest & Alizzi). So far as we are aware it has never been brought into cultivation (not listed in the RHS “Plant Finder”).