Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. subsp. alsinifolium (Biv.) Ball

Spice In the field

Family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Genus: Polycarpon

Sinònims: Polycarpon alsinifolium (Biv.) DC.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Castelló. Girona.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte. Terophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Sandy soils.

Characteristics: A small herbaceous plant with prostrate reddish stems up to 20 cm. in length. The leaves are opposite, entire and slightly fleshy and 12 cm. in length. The inflorescences are terminal and very dense. Differs from the rest of the species of this genus as it has smooth reniforme and whitish seeds with an earthen toned dorsal.