ERIOCARPUM ssp. PORPHYREUM   (Boissier) 't Hart, 1996

Synonyms :

Sedum porphyreum Kotschy (1865)

Sedum porphyreum var. parviglandulosum H. Lindberg (1946).

Distribution : Cyprus.

Description (according to 't Hart & Bleij in IHSP 2003) :

Small, almost glabrous, usually tinged deep red.

Leaves narrowly elliptic to oblong-ovate, semiterete or almost flat, to 12 mm, glaucous.

Flowers : Petals white or pink, outside red, anthers dark purple.

Cytology : 2n = 20

Note :

According to Ray Stephenson, S. eriocarpum ssp. porphyreum has often been confused with other annual species like S. caespitosum and S. rubens, but the fundamental difference is to be found in the carpels : Those of the latter two species bulge, bend outwards and produce stellate fruits while those of the former remain upright.

In addition, unlike S. caespitosum and S. rubens, S. eriocarpum ssp. porphyreum has two whorls of stamens (= 10 stamens). It is a winter grower, turns dark red in full sun and is spent by midsummer.