Phlomis
nissolii
Linnaeus
Sp. Pl.
585 (1753)
Synonym:
P. armeniaca
Willdenow var. subcordata Bornmüller
Distribution
in the wild:
Turkey, Lebanon
and Syria, on limestone scree and rocks, roadsides, corn
and fallow fields at sea level to 1550 m.
Flowering
in the wild:June-August
nissolii
is in honour of Guillaume Nissolle
(1647-1735).
This
has medium thick woolly leaves (rather like P. crinita).
Winter leaves are much less woolly and look green (the summer
wool is a protection against evaporation). My collection
has not flowered in the UK after three years.
Eglandular
herb to 100 cm. Woody base. Basal leaves densely white pannose
on both sides, basal leaves large, oblong to ovate, obtuse,
cordate at base, crenulate to crenate at margin, 6-14 ×
3-6 cm; petiole to 12 cm. Stem leaves smaller, oblong, truncate
or shortly cuneate at base, short petiole. Floral leaves
lanceolate. Five to seven congested whorls per stem, 4-8
flowered. Bracteoles few, subulate, 5-10 mm, tomentose.
Calyx 10-15 mm, densely white stellate-pannose; teeth ovate-triangular,
mucronate, 2 - 4mm. Corolla yellow, 20-30 mm. Nutlets hairless
or ±papillose or pilose at apex. Hardy to -10°C.
Natural
hybrid:
P.
× bornmuelleri K.H. Rechinger
Öst.
Bot. Zeitschr. 89(4):293,294, t.8f.×2,295, t9f.×2,(1940)
(= P. armeniaca
Willdenow × P. nissolii Linnaeus)
