Laserpitium latifolium

Laserpitium latifolium, common name broad-leaved sermountain is an herbaceous perennial plant in the genus Laserpitium belonging to the family Apiaceae.

Description

Laserpitium latifolium reaches on average 50–150 centimetres (20–59 in) of height. The inflorescence has a diameter of 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in). The stem is green-grayish, round, erect and lightly grooved, branched on the top. Leaves are quite large, biternate and petiolated, with a prominent central rib. Leaflets are ovate or heart-shaped and toothed. Size of leaves: 3-10 cm long, 2-6 cm wide. Flowers are white, clustered in unbrels of 25-40 rays. The diameter of umbels reach 20–30 centimetres (7.9–11.8 in). The flowering season is from May to August. Fruits are oblong and flattened, 5–10 mm 5–10 millimetres (0.20–0.39 in) long.

Distribution

It is widespread in most of Europe except Albania, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal. It has been introduced in Belgium.

Habitat

It grows in mountain dry forests, on grassy slopes, on the sunny edges of woods or in meadows. It prefers calcareous soils and a nutrient-rich substrate, at an altitude of 400–2,100 metres (1,300–6,900 ft) above sea level.

Gallery

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  Laserpitium latifolium - Figure from Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen

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  Close-up on flowers of Laserpitium latifolium

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  Flowers of Laserpitium latifolium

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  Leaves of 'Laserpitium latifolium

References

• Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982
• Tutin, T.G. et al. - Flora Europaea, second edition - 1993

External links

• Biolib
• Laserpitium latifolium
• Laserpitium latifolium

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