Torilis leptophylla (L.) Reichenb. f.

Spice Flowers In the field

Family: UMBELLIFERAE (APIACEAE)

Genus: Torilis

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Some regions

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Litoral marshes and riparian. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Salt marshes and cultivated fields.

Characteristics: An annual Umbelliferae with very divided leaves, like the majority of the rest of the family. Stems (grow up to 40 cm.) are branched from top to bottom and are hispid. The umbels are mainly lateral and opposite the leaves, with few radii (2-3) and pedunculate (up to 6 cm.). Flowers can be white or pink in colour. The fruits are surrounded by many spiny appendages, arranged in 1-2 (3) files, each with 10 spines.