Flowers in Israel: Crown Flower

Artedia squamata, Crown Flower, Madonna flower,
Hebrew: שפרירה קשקשנית , Arabic: أرتيديا

Scientific name:   Artedia squamata L.
Common name:   Crown Flower, Madonna flower, Fennel-leaved Artedia
Hebrew name:   שפרירה קשקשנית
Arabic name:   أرتيديا
Family:   Umbelliferae / Apiaceae, Parsley family, סוככיים


Life form:   Annual
Stems:   20-60cm high
Leaves:   Alternate, rosette, dissected twice or more
Flowers:   Umbel terminal, White
Fruits / pods:   Seeds scaly
Flowering Period:   March, April, May
Habitat:   Batha, Phrygana
Distribution:   Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Deserts and extreme deserts
Chorotype:   Mediterranean
Summer shedding:   Ephemeral


Derivation of the botanical name:

Artedia, named in honour of Peter Artedi (1705 – 1735), a Swedish naturalist, by Linnaeus. Artedi designed the system of naming organisms by a generic name and a specific epithet, and from that Linnaeus created the binominal nomenclature and hierarchical classification that is still in use for all organisms.

squamata, scaly.
The Hebrew word: שפרירה, shafrira, beauty, grace, loveliness; The Hebrew Language Academy has chosen a name for this plant, whose entertaining tone invites invitations and responses that cover every attractive detail about the plant itself.

  • The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.

Artedia squamata is the only member of the genus Artedia.