Rubiaceae

G. humifusum Bieb., Fl. Taur.-Cauc. 1:104 (1808) non Stapf (1885). Syn: Asperula humifusa (Bieb.) Besser, Cat. PL Crem. Suppl. 3:4 (1814); A. pycnantha Boiss., Diagn. ser. l(10):64 (1849); A. dissitiflora Post in Trans. Linn. Soc. Bot. 24:432 (1888)! A. ghautensis Post, PL Post. 3:10 (1892)! A. humifusa (Bieb.) Besser var. pycnantha (Boiss.) Post, FL Syria 392 (1896); A. humifusa (Bieb.) Besser f. glaberrima Nâb. et f. hirsuta Nâb. in Publ. Fac. Sci. Masaryk Brno 35:134 (1923). Ic: Boul., Fl. Lib. Syr. t. 182 f. 2 (1930). Map 110.
Prostrate perennial, nigrescent on drying. Stems (10-)40-100(-150) cm, quadrangular, generally with spreading branches from base, hairy or glabrous. Leaves in whorls of 6-7(-9), (5-)10-20(-25) x 0.5-4(-7) mm, oblanceolate or elliptic, to linear, acute or with short hyaline apex, somewhat revolute, hairy mainly along margins and midrib beneath or glabrous and antrorsely scabrid along margins. Inflorescence elongate-cylindrical, with ± densely flowered, leafy cymes. Pedicels 1-4 mm, ± hairy to glabrous, spreading to ± reflexed in fruit. Corolla white or yellowish to yellow, 1.2-3 mm, infundibular, with triangular-ovate, acuminate lobes ± equalling tube, sometimes hairy outside.
Mericarps 1-1.5 mm, broadly ellipsoid, finely granulate, glabrous or sometimes hairy. Fl. 5-9. Humid to mesic, grassy to bushy places, 600-2050 m.
Described from Crimea, Caucasia and S. Russia.
Mainly E. Anatolia. A8 Erzurum: 36 km from Erzurum to Tortum, 2050 m, D. 47500! B6 Maraş: Elbistan, Kapidere, D. 20401! B7 Malatya: 78 km E. of Darende, 850 m, Sorger 73-31-13! B8 Bitlis: Sason valley, nr Goro, 1700 m, Hand.-Mazz. 2922! B9 Van: Van to Erçis, 30 km N. of Van, at Gollü, 1730 m, Hub.-Mor. 11500! B10 Ağri: Doğubayazit, nr castle, Hewitt 244! C5 içel: in gardens of Tarsus and Mersin, Kotschy 1853:250! C6 Hatay: Amanus, Hasanbeyü, 900 m, Haradj. 2162! C7 Adiyaman: rocks around Adıyaman, 900 m, ix 1865, Hausskn.! C8 Mardin: Rischemil (Rişmil), Sint. 1888:1350! C9 Hakkari: Cilo Da., 1650 m, D. 23900!
Balkans, C. & S. Russia, S.W. & C. Asia. A very polymorphic species as to leaf-shape and indumentum, flower colour etc. An occasional hybrid between G. humifusum and G. verum is exemplified by a specimen from B9 Ağri: 19 km E. of Taşliçay, 50 km E. of Ağri, 1800-1900 m, Ehrend. et al. 787-104-3! Literature records from A5 Sinop: Sinop, Wiedemann; B3 Konya: Sultan Da., 1700-1800 m, Bornm. 1899:4544; C4 Konya: Koru Da. above Madenşehir, Andrasovszky 746 are doubtful.