2. Atraphaxis spinosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 333. 1753; Ledeb., Fl. Ross. 3: 514. 1815; Boiss., l.c. 1020; N.V.Pavlov, l.c. 505; Kitamura, Fl. Afgh. 88. 1960; Rech.f. & Schiman-Czeika, l.c. 30; R.R.Stewart, l.c. 201; Boulos, l.c.; Chaudhary, l.c. (Fig.29, A-D).
Atraphaxis replicata auct. non Lam., Encycl. Meth. Bot. 1:329. 1783; Tragopyrum spinosum C.Presl, Bot. Bemerk. 109. 1844; A. spinosa var. linnaeana Meisn. in DC. Prodr. 14: 75. 1856; Atraphaxis spinosa var. rotundifolia Boiss., var. sinaica Boiss. and var. glaucua Boiss., l.c. 1021.
A stiffly branched, up to 80 cm tall undershrub, branches long, spreading, spine-pointed, terminally leafless. Leaves sessile or on short c. 1 mm long petioles, ovate, elliptic, obtuse-acute, 3-6 mm long, 2-4 mm broad; ochreae short, cylindric, 1-2 mm, usually brownish at the base, ± membranous. Flowers in axillary fascicles of 2-6, pedicel 2-3 mm long, in fruit up to 7 mm long, articulate below the middle. Perianth segments 4, pinkish, outer 2 ovate to ovate-lanceolate, inner 2 ovate-orbicular. Stamens 6. Ovary with 2 styles. Fruit not winged but with 2 enlarged inner perianth segments giving wing-like appearance, inner segments 4-5 mm long, 5-6 mm broad, outer segments smaller, reflexed, oblong-ovate. Nut smooth, brown, compressed, 2-3 mm long, ovate, shining.
Fl. Per.: May-August.
Type: Habitat in Media ad urben Bensen locis glareosis juxta fluvios., Herb. Linn. 462.1 (LINN).
This Irano-Turanian element is rather more common than the previous species, Grows between 2000-3000 m on rocky slopes and dry hilly areas; Distribution: S.E.Europe, Russia, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, extending to Egypt through Arabia and Palestine.
