Mercurialis perennis L. Dog's mercury

Mercurialis perennis L. - Dog's mercury

Scientific Description:

Evenly to sparingly pubescent or subglabrous rhizomatous perennial, usually blackening when dried. Stems 15−40 cm, simple. Leaves ovate-elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, 2−8(−12) × 0.5−4 cm, usually scale-like in lower part of stem, crenate-serrate, ciliate; petioles 0.5−2 cm. Stipules deltoid-lanceolate, 2 mm. Male inflorescences 3−10 cm. Male calyx lobes pale green. Female inflorescences 1−5(−7) cm, few-flowered. Ovary and fruit evenly pubescent. Fruit 5−7 mm wide. Seeds globose, brownish, shiny, finely reticulate-rugulose, 3 mm.

 

Flowering Time: March.

Habitat: Forests, 850−900 m.

 

Reference:

Radcliffe-Smith A (1982). Mercurialis perennis L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 7: 570.

Public Description:

Mercurialis perennis, commonly known as “dog’s mercury”, is a woodland plant found in Europe, Türkiye, Iran, Algeria and the Caucasus. Characteristically, it forms dense, extensive carpets on the floor of woodlands and beneath hedgerows. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with green and inconspicuous flowers. It blooms in March. It is highly poisonous plant.

 

References:

Anonymous (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercurialis_perennis, Accessed date: 22.01.2018.

Öztekin M (2012). Mercurialis L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 424.