A. urvilleana was first described by Sommier and Caruana Gatto as a full species in 1915 and at the time it was considered to be a Maltese endemic.
Despite some characteristic phenological and morphological differences
between it and A. pyramidalis,
subsequent studies demoted the taxon variously to both sub-specific and
varietal status. The wheel now appears to have turned full circle and
the taxon is again being
regarded as a valid full species.
The range of A. urvilleana has has also been subject to differences of opinion and although never fully understood, was considered only to be known with certainty from Malta and Crete. Part of the reason for this uncertainty is the presence in the Mediterranean of A. brachystachys, a very similar plant, considered by some to be indistinguishable other than by phenology. As with its taxonomic status the question of its distribution now seems to have settled in favour of its original position as a Maltese endemic. This does however pose the question as to exactly how to consider the very early flowering species depicted here, that occur on Crete and which are declining as A. brachystachys is commencing its flowering cycle in late March.
The most significant and seemingly only differentiating feature is its flowering period which commences in March and is usually completed by mid April. In Malta where both species occur, there is said to be absolutely no overlap of flowering, with urvilleana dead and gone before the blooms of A. brachystachys have even formed.
The pictures all come from central Crete and are NOT therefore a depiction of the Maltese endemic. The page has however been retained until the classification of this Cretan species is clarified.
regarded as a valid full species.
The range of A. urvilleana has has also been subject to differences of opinion and although never fully understood, was considered only to be known with certainty from Malta and Crete. Part of the reason for this uncertainty is the presence in the Mediterranean of A. brachystachys, a very similar plant, considered by some to be indistinguishable other than by phenology. As with its taxonomic status the question of its distribution now seems to have settled in favour of its original position as a Maltese endemic. This does however pose the question as to exactly how to consider the very early flowering species depicted here, that occur on Crete and which are declining as A. brachystachys is commencing its flowering cycle in late March.
The most significant and seemingly only differentiating feature is its flowering period which commences in March and is usually completed by mid April. In Malta where both species occur, there is said to be absolutely no overlap of flowering, with urvilleana dead and gone before the blooms of A. brachystachys have even formed.
The pictures all come from central Crete and are NOT therefore a depiction of the Maltese endemic. The page has however been retained until the classification of this Cretan species is clarified.
