Rubiaceae

G. cassium Boiss., Diagn. ser. l(10):68 (1849), incl. var. calvescens Boiss., loc. cit. Ic: BouL, Fl. Lib. Syr. t. 191 f. 3 (1930).
Low, slender annual, 5-20(-25) cm. Stems quadrangular to subalate, glabrous or sometimes scabrid on angles towards base, often purplish, usually branched from base, branches erect to ascending, finally often intricate. Leaves in whorls of 4-6, (4-)7-14 x 0.25-1.2(-l.5) mm, lower narrowly oblanceolate-spathulate, subacute, sparingly antrorsely scabrid mainly along ± revolute margins and vein above, upper narrowly linear-oblanceolate to sub-filiform, acute to cuspidate, with very short hyaline apex c. 0.05 mm, sparingly antrorsely scabrid mainly along the usually strongly revolute margins. Inflorescence corymbiform, with dense corymbose-umbellulate, 4-10(-12)-flowered cymes. Bracts numerous up to ultimate branchings, 4-6 mm, narrowly linear-oblanceolate to filiform, ± hirsute above and scabrid at margins. Peduncles 5-17 mm, suberect to divaricate, pedicels 0.7-2(-3) mm, erect to somewhat patent, capillary, glabrous. Corolla creamy white, sometimes tinged purple, rotate, c. l-1.5(-2) mm diam.; lobes ovate-oblong, erect to spreading, incurved, apex ± obtuse to shortly apiculate (apex 0.07-0.1(0.2) mm). Ovary at first with curved adpressed, finally usually spreading, uncinate hairs on back, or glabrous. Mericarps dark brownish, broadly reniform, c. 0.6-0.75 mm, usually densely hirsute, hairs predominantly uncinate, to 0.5 mm. 2n =22. Fl. 6-7. Dry rocky slopes, dunes, s.l-715 m.
Syntypes: [Turkey C6 Hatay/Syria] in umbrosis regionis inferioris montis Cassii (Akra Da.), Boissier; [Lebanon] ad pedem rupium in promontorio Ras
Beyrout, Boissier (G).S. Anatolia. C5 Içel: Mersin, 40 m, Siehe 1895:16! Adana: Yumurtalik, nr s.l., Coode & Jones 719! Hatayj mt. Cassius (Akra Da.), 300-650 m, Haradj. 33017! C6 Hatay: Kizil Da., Arsuz to Antakya road, Watson et al. 2688! Maraş: 7-9 km S. of Andirin towards Kadirli, 700 m, Ehrend. et al. 787-51-2! Gaziantep: 17 km from Fevzipaşa to Gaziantep, 550 m, Hub.-Mor. 13868!
W. Syria. E. Medit. element. Close to G. setaceum Lam. Intermediates between this species and G. setaceum Lam., with rather large, often purplish ± long-pedicellate flowers, are frequent from the S. Cilician Taurus to Bitlis, e.g.: B6 Adana: nr Hadjin (Saimbeyli), 7 vii 1906, G. & B. Post! B8 Bitlis: 13 km from Baykan to Bitlis, 1150 m, D. 43148! Diyarbakir: 26 km N. of Diyar-bakir, 680 m, Hub.-Mor. 13867! C5 Adana: Kozan to Feke, 15 km N. of Kozan, 300-330 m, Hub.-Mor. 16438! C6 Adana: Toprakkale, nr s.l., Coode & Jones 649! Maraş: c. 10 km N. of Andirin,-900-1000 m, Sorger 73-12-43! Urfa: Birecik, Kefre, Si3t. 1888:573! C7 Urfa: 13 km S. of Hilvan, 800 m, Sorger 73-26-13!