Canary lappolina
Scientific name: Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link
Family name: Apiaceae
MORPHOLOGY
Habit and dimensions: an annual herbaceous plant ranging from 20 to 60 centimeters in height.
Stem: upright and elongated, branched and often leafless. Rough to the touch due to scattered downward-pointing bristles.
Leaves: between 3 and 6 centimeters long, acuminate, and deltoid in outline. They are deeply pinnate but not incised to the midrib.
Flowers: gathered in umbrella-like inflorescences composed of 4 to 12 rays. Individual flowers have 5 white petals. The outer petals are larger than the inner ones. They appear between May and August.
Fruits and seeds: composed of two achenes fused on the central axis to form a laterally compressed ovoid polachenarium. They have numerous erect spines on the surface, hooked at the apex.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
A plant native to Europe, present in almost all regions of the world and throughout the Italian peninsula, up to about 1,300 meters above sea level. It thrives in ruderal environments, arid fallows, and along roads.
USE
No known use.
INTERESTING FACTS
The specific name refers to the fields, the species’ habitat for growth.
Photo: Free licensed by Saxifraga – Peter Meininger and Ed Stikvoort
