Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L.
Family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Genus: Polycarpon
Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.
Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.
General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean
IUCN Category: Least concern
Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Life-forms: Chameophyte. Terophyte.
Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Therophytic calicole fields. Rocky surfaces and dry stone walls. Therophytics communities.
Characteristics: A small plant with leaves grouped in whorls of four, either ovate in form or with the apical section wider than the base. Flowers are very small, with dipped petals. Has a certain resemblance to species of the Rubiaceae family, but it's not rough to the touch and its fruit is in the form of a capsule.