Pseudopodospermum libanoticum explained

Pseudopodospermum libanoticum, also known as Lebanese salsify and Lebanese viper's grass, is a species of perennial plant in the family Asteraceae.[1] [2] [3]

Description

Pseudopodospermum libanoticum grows to a height of 15cmto80cmcm (06inchesto30inchescm) 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 2cmto4cmcm (01inchesto02inchescm). 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. P. libanoticum 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

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

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.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scorzonera libanotica Boiss. — The Plant List. www.theplantlist.org. 2016-12-29.
  2. Web site: The Euro+Med Plantbase Project. 2006. ww2.bgbm.org. Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin. 2016-12-30.
  3. Web site: Biodiversity assessment and monitoring in the protected areas/ Lebanon LEB/95/G31. August 2004. www.moe.gov.lb. Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve and the Lebanese University Faculty of Science. 2016-12-30.
  4. Web site: Scorzonera libanotica Boiss. www.lebanon-flora.org. Université Saint Joseph, Beyrouth. fr. 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. Flora Mediterranea. 25. 27.
  6. Web site: Scorzonera libanotica Cichorieae Portal. cichorieae.e-taxonomy.net. European Distributed Institute of Taxonomy. 2016-12-30.
  7. Web site: Distribution map. 2016. ww2.bgbm.org. Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin. 2016-12-30.