Arabis hirsuta (L.) Scop. var. exauriculata (Willk.) Mgf. (Finland, Lohja, Hermala, 2000). – Image: Harri Harmaja (scanned from dried specimen). – This morph differs from A. hirsuta var. hirsuta (Brassicaceae) in its smaller size and the cauline leaves which are fewer and not sagittate but narrow at their bases. This variety has been seen a few times in the same famous limestone area; I collected it also in 1991. Accompanying species include Arabis hirsuta var. hirsuta, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Luzula cf. divulgata, Sagina nodosa and Saxifraga adscendens. Both times when collected, the present taxon was infected by the infrequent smut fungus Ustilago thlaspeos. The genus Arabis L. and A. hirsuta itself are well-known to be taxonomically very difficult.
Created October 7, 2004.