Osyris alba

Osyris

Pictures of Osyris alba

(Click on the pictures to see them in larger size)

Common name

Osyris

Scientific name

Osyris alba L.

Conservation status and threats

NOT protected species in Bulgaria.

Description and identification

Osyris alba is an evergreen, hemiparasitic, groom-like perennial shrub growing up to 150 cm high. Stems erect, much-branched, angular, woody, striated, green when young, becoming brown later. Leaves are alternate, simple, entire, leathery, linear or lanceolate, apex acute, base cuneate, subsessile and glabrous, falling early. Flowers actinomorphic, unisexual or hermaphrodite; male flowers in sparse axillary racemes, female and hermaphrodite solitary; perianth 3-4 lobed, fleshy, green and glabrous; stamens 3-4, opposite to perianth lobes; perianth lobes fused at base forming hypanthium, lobes ovate-deltoid, green, becoming yellow-orange with age; ovary inferior, style 1, stigma 3-lobed. Blooms May-June^[1].

Habitat

In the bushes, stony places and coastal sands^[2].

Distribution in Bulgaria

Black Sea coast (southern part), Struma valley (southern part), Eastern Rhodopes, Strandzha^[3].

References

[1] Osyris alba - Savvas Tryfonos Plants Photography.

[2] Кузманов, Б & Ст. Кожухаров. 1966. Флора на Н. Р. България, том IІI, издателство на БАН.

[3] Кузманов, Б & Ст. Кожухаров. 1966. Пос. източник.

Osyris alba на български

The theory of evolution is a lie!

Abortion is murder!