I.C. Hedge

Annual with erect stems 20-40 cm, usually branched above with short spreading eglandular hairs and with or without spreading capitate glandular hairs; internodes elongated. Cauline leaves linear or narrow linear, spreading recurved, 20-40 x 2-4 mm, subentire to irregularly serrate, mucronulate, tapering into a subabsent petiole; indumentum as on stem. Inflorescence of clearly separated many-flowered verticillasters subtended by long linear leaves. Bracts linear-lanceolate, c. as long as calyces, spinulose. Flowers ± sessile. Calyx narrow tubular, straight, c. 6 mm, with ± long eglandular and glandular hairs or sessile oil globules; teeth subequal c. 3 mm, spinulose; throat with villous hairs. Corolla bluish white to lilac, 8-10 mm; tube c. 6 mm widened at throat. Anthers dark blue. Nutlets c. 1.5 x 1.1 mm, pale brown, shiny, smooth, ellipsoid, flattened, with a small lateral attachment scar.

Fl. Per.: June.

Type: [Iran] Esfahan, Aucher-Eloy 5147 (holo. G; iso. K).

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Soviet Central Asia, Pakistan.

The long intemodes and recurved linear leaves subtending the verticillasters are distinctive features.