Coastal crucianella (Crucianella maritima, Sp. Pl.: 109 (1753))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 109 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crucianella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit.

Description

Coastal crucianella, known scientifically as Crucianella maritima, is an intriguing species within the Rubiaceae family. Documented as early as 1753 in “Species Plantarum,” this plant carries the authorship of the renowned botanist, Carl Linnaeus, often denoted with the initial “L.”

Native to the Mediterranean region, Coastal crucianella thrives in the unique climatic and soil conditions found along coastlines, exemplifying its name. It adapts well to the saline environments and sandy soils characteristic of these areas, underlying its resilience and ecological significance.

As a member of the Rubiaceae family, Crucianella maritima shares familial traits common to this group, which includes notable species such as coffee and gardenia. The plant is known for its distinct structure and blooms, typically observed within its natural Mediterranean habitat. Its ability to flourish in some of the more challenging environments showcases its hardiness and evolutionary adaptations.

Coastal crucianella represents an essential component of coastal flora, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of its native ecosystems. Its presence underlines the importance of understanding and conserving Mediterranean coastal environments, where such unique plant species play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance.

Common Names

En: Coastal Crucianella
Ca: Crucianel·la marítima
Fi: Meritähkämatara
Fr: Crucianelle maritime
De: Strand-Kreuzblatt
He: צלבית החוף
It: Crucianella marittima
: Coastal crucianella

Synonyms

• Crucianella rupestris (Guss.)
• Crucianella erecta (Shecut)
• Crucianella maritima f. recurvata (Sennen)
• Crucianella maritima subsp. rupestris ((Guss.) Nyman)
• Rubeola maritima ((L.) Moench)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2020 by Goytia Elisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2021 by padrós toni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2021 by Chickpea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2020 by Ochoa Hueso Raúl (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 1997 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 1997 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2021 by Chickpea (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by berdonces serra josep lluis (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Henri Scordia (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5336649)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:747908-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crucianella maritima L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 4

Soil salinity: 4