Swertia iberica
Swertia iberica
Safraca
Stem 65-90 cm, often purplish-tinged. Basal leaves 10-25 x 4-11 cm, blade broadly elliptic to narrowly ovate, ± abruptly contracted into to 15 cm petiole; cauline mostly alternate, rarely subopposite, narrower, lower petiolate, upper sessile. Inflorescence spicate, uninterrupted, cymes contracted. Flowers mostly 5-merous. Calyx divided ± to base, lobes linear-Ianceolate, 5-8 mm. Corolla lobes 11-15 mm, whitish, pale inky-blue or reddish purple usually with darker blue or violet streaks or veins, with pairs of fimbriate nectaries near base. Capsule c. 10 mm, narrowly ellipsoid. Fl. 7-8. Streamsides in upper part of Picea and Alnus forests, Rhododendron scrub, alpine meadows and bogs, 1600-2700 m.
Caucasia. Euxine element.
