Rayless chamomile

Appearance

This low spreading annual plant has sprawling stems that gradually harden and become rigid, hence its scientific specific name rigida. The flowers of Rayless Chamomile are usually yellow, sometimes flushed with pink, and the stems and leaves of the plant are slightly hairy.

Low, slightly hairy annual. Stems: 13-15 cm, spreading gradually thickened and rigid, usually numerous and simple. Leaves: Slightly fleshy, grey-pubescent, with broad ultimate segments. Flowers: Peduncles, somewhat thickened, the 1-2 central ones very shortl. Bracts, triangular-lanceolate, more or less pubescent. Ligules, rarely present. Tubular florets, yellow, rarely whitish suffused with pink, not swollen below.

Distribution

Crete and Greece eastwards, including Cyprus. Widespread and common on Crete.

Habitat

Sandy and rocky coastal habitats, loamy flats, fallow fields, phrygana, open coniferous woodland. from 600-1100 m. Up to 1900 m, in dolines.