Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.

Spice Flower Leaves In the field

Family: AIZOACEAE

Genus: Mesembryanthemum

Catalan common name: Cabellera de la reina. Herba de plata. Herba gelada.

Spanish common name: Escarchada. Escarchosa. Hierba de la plata.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Rocky coastlines. Salt marshes near the sea.

Characteristics: This is a decumbent plant with thick leaves and stems that are completely covered by large hyaline papilla; this last characteristic is key and suficient for its identification.