Pseudorlaya pumila, (L.) Grande

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 375

1. P. pumila (L.) Grande , Nuovo Gior. Bot. Ital. nov. ser., 32: 86 (1925)

( Daucus pumilus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link , Orlaya maritima (L.) Koch , Pseudorlaya maritima (L.) Murb. ; inch P. bubania (Philippe) Murb. ).

Densely hairy annual up to 20 cm, branched from the base. Leaves 2- to 3-pinnate, the segments divided into ovate lobes. Rays 2-5, unequal. Bracts 2-5, linear, acuminate, green, sometimes 3-fid; bracteoles linear-lanceolate. Petals white or purplish, the outer only slightly larger than the others. Fruit 7 -1 0x5-6 mm, ellipsoid; lateral secondary ridges with 8 prominent, smooth spines, widened at the base, the other secondary ridges with c. 18 narrow spines 2-5-3-5 mm. 2n=16. Maritime sands; more rarely inland. Mediterranean region, C. & S. Portugal. Al BI Co Cr Ga G r Hs It Lu Sa Si.

A well-marked variant with short spines on the fruits ( var. brevaiculeata (Boiss.) Heywood ) is found in various parts of the range of the species; a similar variant with smaller fruits occurs in S. France and has been confused with the following species.