Rubiaceae

G. basalticum Ehrend. & Schönb.-Tem. in Notes R.B.G. Edinb. 37:256 (1979). Figures 25 & 27. Map 112.
Perennial to semi-shrub, with the smell of coumarin on drying, greenish (not blackening) on drying; rootstock thick, many-headed. Stems numerous, (10-)15-30(-40) cm, erect to somewhat ascending, sometimes prostrate at woody base; branches erect, quadrangular to quadricostate, glabrous except for puberulent nodes, with numerous vegetative shoots at flowering time; internodes ± equal, c. l-5(-7) cm. Leaves in whorls of (3-)4-6(-8), spreading to subreflexed, (4-)8-25(-35) x 2-5.5 mm, oblanceolate-spathulate to obtuse or cuspidate to acute, without hyaline tip, distinctly antrorsely papillose along the ± flat margin, glabrous, vein slender, slightly prominent beneath. Inflorescence lax, ovoid to pyramidal, branches subdivaricate, slender, ultimate monochasial. Bracts extremely diminished. Pedicels c. 1-4.5 mm, suberect to spreading. Corolla yellowish, rotate, c. 2-3 mm diam., lobes oblong, shortly apiculate to aristate; awns to 1/2 as long as lobes. Anthers mostly pale or brownish on drying. Mericarps reniform, disjointed, often single, c. 1.1-1.6 mm, blackish, obsoletely rugulose, glabrous. Fl. 6-7. Volcanic talus and rock, 1150-1600 m.
Type: Turkey A8 Erzurum: 39 km N. of Tortum on road to Artvin, 6 km S. of Tortum gölü, narrow gorge W. of road, 1150-1200 m, volcanic talus and rock, Ehrendorfer et al. 787-122-1 (holo. WU! iso. E!).
N.E. Anatolia. A8 Erzurum: 9 km N.W. of Ispir towards Ikizdere, 1400 m, Ehrend. et al. 787-160A-2! B9 Ağri: 6 km N.E. of Tutak towards Hamur, in Murat valley, c. 1600 m, Ehrend. et al. 787-101-2! 2 km S. of Patnos, 1740m, Hub.-Mor. 11505!
Endemic. Ir.-Tur. element. Close to G. achurense Grossh. (Caucasus) yet distinguishable by its glabrous stems, longer and usually broader leaves, and yellowish corollas. With their rotate corolla, both tend towards the Erecta group of Sect. Leiogalium. The likewise similar G. czerepanovii Pobed. differs mainly in its coriaceous, ciliate leaves, hispidulous stems and whitish flowers.