Plante herbacée vivace de taille moyenne, à tiges dressées et pubescentes. Les feuilles sont verticillées par 4, de forme lancéolée à ovale, dépassant 4 mm de large et souvent 3 cm de long. Inflorescence en tête dense terminale, rameuse. Fleurs blanches à corolle > 8 mm de long.
Détermination
Simple.
Espèces proches
Asperula laevigata possède des feuilles plus petites < à 3 cm et ainsi que des corolles < 3 mm (feuilles > 3 cm de long et corolle > 8 mm de long chez Asperula taurina). Galium rubioides est une espèce plus robuste atteignant 1 mètre, à feuilles plus grandes (5-10 cm) et à inflorescence en corymbe dense (Asperula taurina ne dépasse guère 60 cm, à des feuilles généralement < 5 cm et une inflorescence en tête dense à ramifications courtes).
Période d'observation
Floraison en mai et juillet.
Biologie - éthologie
Espèce géophyte à rhizome (herbacée vivaces à rhizome) appartenant à la famille des Rubiaceae. Les genres Asperula et Galium sont proches et la distinction morphologique entre les deux n'est pas aisée. Asperula taurina est une espèce hermaphrodite, entomogame, et barychore. Asperula taurina compte 3 sous-espèces : subsp. taurina (présente en France) ; subsp. caucasica et subsp. leucanthera (absentes de France).
Biogéographie et écologie
Espèce orophyte sud-ouest européenne : de l'Espagne à la Turquie et au Caucase. En France cette espèce se rencontre dans les Alpes du Sud, les Alpes maritimes et le Bugey où elle est rare. Elle affectionne les sous-bois et les ourlets forestiers aux étages montagnard et collinéen surtout sur sol basique.
Sources
Tison J.-M., De Foucault, B. (coords). 2014. Flora Gallica - Flore des France, Ed. Biotope (Mèze), 1196p.
Simon Contant(Contant Simon - Botaniste Phytosociologue),2024
The map presents a summary at the 10 x 10 km grid of the observation data for the species transmitted to the SINP. These data have been subjected to validation filters.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Current distribution in metropolitan France
The map presents a reference distribution layer of the species at the scale of departments and marine sectors. The presence and absence data were established by expertise within a network of partners. This reference distribution is used in the validation process of the SINP data at the INPN level.
Distribution map from the Atlas of Departmental Biodiversity and Marine Sectors program
Certain presence
Corresponds to a report on the basis of at least one observation proved within a period of 10 years (20 years for little-known invertebrates) preceding the year and no presumption of extinction since obtaining the last data nor doubt on reproductive and implemented nature of this population. For migratory species, the presence indicated concerns areas of reproduction.
Probable presence
This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
search of species incomplete but presence of supportive environments;
ecology of the species consistent with the hypothesis of his presence;
the last reliable sighting is older than 10 years compared to the reference date, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [vertebrates, invertebrates and plants well studied (rhopalocera, grasshoppers, dragonflies ...)] ;
the last reliable observation being older than 20 years, no recent specific research and no presumption of extinction from that date [poorly known taxa: fungus, many invertebrates...].
Probable or certain absence
This point covers the absence, more difficult by nature to demonstrate than presence. This status is based on one or more of the following criteria:
intensive but unsuccessful targeted research;
lack of adequate environments;
unobserved species while its presence is easily detected;
unlikely presence for historical or biogeographical reasons.
This status must be assigned to a department in which the presence of the species is casual.
Absence due to a proven extinction
Particular case of absence due to a proven extinction less than a half century ago (older disappearances are treated as "no probable or definite").
No information
In the state of knowledge, we can not comment on the presence or absence in the current department. This is the default status when not comprised in one of the previous categories or whenever there is doubt.