Umbilicus rupestris

Classification and Habitat

Umbilicus rupestris is a plant species within the genus Umbilicus of the family Crassulaceae. It belongs to the same genus as the Rock Sedge or Earth Sedge, which is also known by its scientific name Carex.

The habitat of U. rupestris includes the Mediterranean Basin, the Arab Maghreb, and parts of Europe, as well as North Africa and West Asia. Specifically, it can be found in countries such as Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Cyprus, Egypt (including the Sinai region), Lebanon, Turkey, and others.

Plant Description

Umbilicus rupestris is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to heights of 10-50 centimeters. The stem is upright and mostly unbranched, with bare flowers covering almost entirely without leaves. The leaves at the base of the stem have long segments, are tufted, rounded, and depressed.

The leaves are divided into leaf stem and leaf spread. In the case of basic leaves, the leaf spread is sunk in a navel-like manner. The leaf stems are 4-25 centimeters long and have grown in the middle of the spread, so that the leaf becomes shield-shaped. The spread is round in outline with a few notches and has a diameter of 1.5-4 centimeters.

Generative Characteristics

The pale green-pink flowers appear in May, shaped like a bell, while mature green fruits appear in summer. The seeds are dark brown, egg-shaped, and approximately 0.50-0.00 mm in size.

Distribution and Seeding

Umbilicus rupestris is found in North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia) and West Asia (Cyprus, Egypt - Sinai, Lebanon, Turkey).