Scrophulariaceae

O. verna (Bellardi) Dumort., Fl. Belg. 32 (1827). Syn: Euphrasia verna Bellardi in Mem. Accad. Sci. Torino 5 (1 790-91): 239, t. 5 (1793); Odontites rubra Besser, Primit. Fl. Galic. 2:47 (1809).
subsp. serotina (Dumort.) Corb., Nouv. Fl. Normand. 437(1894). Syn: 0. serotina Dumort., loc. cit. (1827). Ic: Fl. URSS 22: t. 33 f. 1 (1955).
Annual, eglandular-scabrid with short retrorse hairs. Stems ascending or erect, to 55 cm, usually with many long spreading branches. Leaves ± linear to linear-ovate, to 10-30 x 5-8 mm, irregularly serrate, sessile. Inflorescence lax, elongating" in fruit; bracts leaf-like, ± equalling calyces. Pedicels absent or to 2 mm. Calyx tubular-campanuiate, to 6.5 mm; ube c. 5 mm; teeth triangular, 2-2.3 mm, two slightly longer. Corolla 8-9 mm, reddish-pink, pilose; tube c. 5 mm. Anthers included or ± exserted, apiculate or acuminate, barbate. Capsule oblong, 6-7x3-4 mm, compressed towards apex, apiculate, glabrous or pubescent. Ft. 6-/0. Damp meadows, stream-sides, igneous and limestone grassy slopes, in macchie, 840-2400 m.
Described from Belgium.
N.W. Turkey & Inner Anatolia. A2(E) Istanbul: nr Arnavutköy, Istanbul to Terkos, A.Baytop (ISTE 12070)! A2(A) Bursa: above Bursa, Pichler! A3 Bolu: Abant G., 1300 m, D. 32889! A4 Ankara: d. Kizilcahamam, Işik Da.. Khan or at. 737! A6 Samsun: nr Samsun, Tobey 19/9! B2 Kütahya: plain of Simav, 840 m, E. Anglia Exped. C12! B3 Afyon: Afyon to Sandikli, Sinanpaşa, Jenkins 2166! B8 Erzurum: Ilica to Tercan, 1950 m, D. 30878! B9 Ağri: Tahir pass, 2440 m, Archibald İ215! C3/4 Konya: Beyşehir to Konya, viii 1845, Heldr.! C9 Hakkari: Zab gorge nr Dezi, 1400 m, D. 24509! C10 Hakkari: Zab gorge, 48 km S. of Başkale, D/23821 !
Temperate Eurasia, incl. W. & C.Iran. Euro-Sib. element.
More variable in its characters than the other Turkish species of the genus. Although 1 have given this taxon subspecific rank, the infraspecific categories currently recognised (e.g. in Fl. Europaea) are rather unsatisfactory to define. This subspecies is separated from the others by its long spreading lateral branches and the bracts generally equal to or shorter than the calyces. A critical review of this species-complex is needed throughout its vast European and Asiatic range.