Citation: Cav., Elench. Pl. Horti Matr. 39 (1803).

Synonymy: Celsia cretica L., Syst. Veg., edn 13:470 (1774); C. sinuata Cav., Anales Ci. Nat. 3:68 (1801).

Common name: Cretan mullein.

Description:
Erect robust biennial 0.4-2 m high, densely covered by short glandular and longer eglandular hairs; leaves in basal parts lyrate-pinnatifid, 15-25 x 4-7 cm, doubly dentate, higher up shorter, ovate, stem-clasping, doubly-dentate, acuminate.

Inflorescence a many-flowered spike 20-50 cm or more long, with flowers single in the axils, the bracts ovate, 1.5-3 cm long, stem-clasping, serrate, acuminate; pedicels 3-5 mm long; sepals ovate to narrow-ovate, unequal, 8-15 mm long, serrate, acuminate; corolla 30-50 mm diam., yellow with a purple centre, with the upper lobes shorter than the lower and lateral lobes; stamens 4, without a staminode, the upper pair short, villous, the lower pair much longer, 14-16 mm long, glabrous, with all anthers decurrent, 5-6 mm long; style 20-25 mm long.

Capsule broad-ovoid, 9-(in Europe) 15 mm long.

	Leaves, flower in front view, upper villose stamens, lower glabrous stamen and fruit.
Image source: fig. 591A in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Sims (1806) Curtis's Bot. Mag. 24:t. 964; Payne in Bailey (1906) Weeds and suspected poisonous plants of Queensland, fig. 223.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: SL, KI.   W.Aust.; Qld; Vic.; Tas.   Native to the western Mediterranean region. The only ecological record is for a roadside. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — Nov.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available