Lavatera maritima Gouan

Spice Flower

Family: MALVACEAE

Genus: Lavatera

Catalan common name: Malva. Malva de roca. Vauma.

Spanish common name: Malvarisco falso.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Rock outcrops usually near the sea.

Characteristics: This small shrub is found in the littoral areas or those of marine influence, always in places with lots of light; its branches and leaves have a dense downy covering, whitish grey in colour, like no other Malvaceae. Its pale rose flowers are also a very characteristic point for identification.