Scorzonera libanotica

Scorzonera libanotica, also known as the Lebanese salsify and Lebanese viper's grass (Arabic: دَبَح لُبْناني‎) is a perennial member of the genus Scorzonera in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).[1][2][3]

Scorzonera libanotica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Scorzonera
Species:
S. libanotica
Binomial name
Scorzonera libanotica

Description

Scorzonera libanotica grows to a height of 15 to 80 cm (5.9 to 31.5 in) and is covered with fluffy detersile coating. Its erect flower stems are leafy and branched in the upper part into 3-5 floral heads measuring 2 to 4 cm (0.79 to 1.57 in). The flower heads are supported by a scaly receptacles atop long pedicels. It has glabrous cylindrical involucral bracts that are truncated at the base and slightly constricted at the top. The yellow flowers turn purple-red at the base and are larger than the involucre. It blooms in June and July. The fruit is a white, thick, long and deeply furrowed achene surmounted by a small pappus. S. libanotica leaves are whole, slightly toothed towards the base, oblong or oblong-lanceolate, more or less acute that narrow at the petiole.[4][5]

Distribution and habitat

Scorzonera libanotica is endemic to the mountainous regions of Lebanon and Syria;[6][7] it grows in elevated meadows and pastures, rocky and grassy grounds, and old wall cracks[4][5]

Uses

The plant is used in folk medicine, its aerial parts are made into a decoction used orally to treat headaches. The plant's raw young shoots and leaves are edible.[5]

References
  1. "Scorzonera libanotica Boiss. — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  2. "The Euro+Med Plantbase Project". ww2.bgbm.org. Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin. 2006. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  3. "Biodiversity assessment and monitoring in the protected areas/ Lebanon LEB/95/G31" (PDF). www.moe.gov.lb. Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve and the Lebanese University Faculty of Science. August 2004. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  4. "Scorzonera libanotica Boiss". www.lebanon-flora.org (in French). Université Saint Joseph, Beyrouth. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  5. Arnold, N.; Baydoun, S.; Chalak, L.; Raus, Th. (2015). "A contribution to the flora and ethnobotanical knowledge of Mount Hermon, Lebanon" (PDF). Flora Mediterranea. 25: 27.
  6. "Scorzonera libanotica | Cichorieae Portal". cichorieae.e-taxonomy.net. European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  7. "Distribution map". ww2.bgbm.org. Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin. 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
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