About Lomelosia prolifera (L.) Greuter & Burdet
Lomelosia prolifera, commonly known as the Carmel daisy, is a flowering plant belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae. This species is an annual that grows up to 40 centimeters tall. It has an erect stem covered in soft, rather long, whitish hairs. Its leaves are arranged oppositely; they are simple, either entire or irregularly toothed, pale green, and hairy on both surfaces. Its flowers bloom from February to May, and are creamy yellow in color. After the petals are shed, the plant leaves behind a greenish-looking dried flower structure that is well-suited for use in floral arrangements. The flowers themselves are zygomorphic and hermaphroditic. After flowering, Lomelosia prolifera produces an achene fruit. This species was first published in Willdenowia volume 15, on page 75, in 1985. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean, and can be found specifically in Cyprus, the East Aegean Islands, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Turkey. It grows in habitats including waste ground, roadsides, grassy slopes, and fields, at altitudes ranging from 0 to 1500 meters.
