Seseli libanotis (L) Koch Moon Carrot
NOMENCLATURE
Seseli : from Greek, _____ ______
libanotis : from Greek _________ : strong scented plant,
from _________ libantos: incense.
OTHER NAMES: mountain meadow saxifrage.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE: puberulent biennial/monocarpic perennial .Hs. STEMS: solid, strongly ridged,
surrounded at base by fibrous remains of petioles. H: 30-100cm.
UMBELS: compound, 3-6cm diam. Terminal, convex in flr. (10)20-60 puberulent rays,
usually 2-3cm long. Peduncle > than the rays, pubescent at top.
LEAVES: 10cm, 2-pinnate, oblong to lanceolate in outline, the pinnae sessile, first. pair of
lobes is at base of a pinna. Lobes 5-15mm, lanceolate to ovate in outline, deeply serrate to
pinnatific mucronate, < or > ciliate. Basal lvs long petiolate. Cauline with short. inflated
sheathing bases. Cotyledons contracted into a petiole.
BRACTS: usually 8 or more, linear, erect to more or less deflexed, pubescent bracteoles 10-15.
FLOWERS : white. Sepals, decidious, subulate. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl. 7-8.
FRUIT: 2.5-3mm. Ovoid, scarcely compressed, >to< puberulent. Commisure broad. Mericarps :
broad ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary. Pedicels 2-7mm. hairy. Styles > than
stylopodium, divergent to recurved. Stigma capitate. 2n=22.
HABITAT: rough. grassy., bushy places, on chalk.
DISTRIBUTION : native. Very local. E.Sussex, Herts, Beds, Camb.
Most of Europe. W.Asia. Not in Scotland or Ireland.
