Acantholimon Boiss.

Acantholimon Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. ser. 1, 7: 69. 1846 nom. cons. = Gladiolimon Mobayen, Rev. Taxon. Acanthol.: 296. 1964. Type: Gladiolimon speciosissimum (Aitch. & Hemsl.) Mobayen, Rev. Taxon. Acanthol.: 297. 1964 Type. Acantholimon glumaceum (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. ser. 1, 7: 75. 1846. Emended diagnosis of Acantholimon (including Gladiolimon). Laxly or densely branched, often with chalk protuberances, hemispherical or subspherical pulvinate subshrubs, usually forming thorny pincushions. Leaves, alternate, frequently spiny, linear-triangular, subcylindrical or linear, rarely flat and fairly broad, acuminate at apex. Inflorescence simple or branched spike, elongate or short, compact and capitate, paniculate, or subsessile. Spikes with one to numerous flowered spikelets, forming simple or compound panicles. Calyx broadly to narrowly infundibular or tubular, scarious, glabrous or hairy. Corolla longer than the calyx, petals slightly connate at base, white, pink, purple or red. Filaments of stamens distinct except at base, glabrous. Styles distinct from base, glabrous or rarely verrucose. Stigma capitate or oblong-capitate. Ovary narrowly linear-cylindrical or sub-ovoid. Fruit oblong-linear, not enlarged at the top, opening with a small round lid and with valves.