Syn.: Cotyledon coutinhoi (Mariz) Cout., Cotyledon praealta (Brot.) Samp. in Bull., Cotyledon umbilicus-veneris var. praealta Brot., Umbilicus citrinus Wolley-Dod in J. Bot., Umbilicus coutinhoi Mariz in Bol., Umbilicus pendulinus var. bracteosus Merino, Umbilicus praealtus (Brot.) Mariz in Bol., Umbilicus praealtus var. coutinhoi (Mariz) Samp.
Family: Crassulaceae J. St.-Hil.
Distribution: The Iberian Peninsula, northwestern Africa, Macaronesia.
Ecology: It grows on rocks, wooded slopes and in margins of woods, from the coast to elevation of 1000 m a.s.l. It blooms from June to August.
Description: Perennial herb. Stem 40–80(–90) cm tall, stout, erect, simple or rarely branched, basal leaves petiolate, suborbicular, cauline leaves smaller. Raceme 12–35 cm, dense; bracts 6–11 mm, linear; flowers horizontal or drooping, sepals small, ovate-lanceolate, corolla 10–12 mm, bright yellow, tube distinctly 5-angled and constricted at the mouth; lobes ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, about 1/3 as long as the tube. Carpels obtuse, with a short style.
Note: The genus Umbilicus contains about 10–12 species, which occur from Macaronesia through the Mediterranean to Iran.
These images were taken in Spain, the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Pico de las Nieves (June 11, 2006).
