Stachys ocymastrum (L.) Briq.

Spice In the field

Family: LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)

Genus: Stachys

Catalan common name: Espinadella.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Cultivated fields, path and road sides.

Characteristics: Annual herb with opposite leaves, basal leaves with petioles. The entire plant is hirsute and silky to the touch. The inflorescence is formed at the tops of the branches and grouped into regular whorls without a supporting peduncle. The flowers allow a positive identification of the species leaving no room for doubt: with two labia, the superior white and bifid while the inferior yellow in colour. Found bordering walkways and scrublands.