Phalaris paradoxa L.

Spice Roof detail Glumes detail Inflorescence

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Phalaris

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): 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, disturbed zones.

Characteristics: A very elegant Graminea, with a elongated yet compact inflorescence, brilliant with toens of violet, the superiour leaf hugs its own base. Flowers have a characterisitc wing in the form of an acute-angled tooth above the keel of the glumes. Can be distinguished from Phalaris coerulescens as Phalaris paradoxa is an annual, while the latter is rhizomatous, and the wingof the glume is entirely dentate. Lives in fileds and along the borders of paths and roads, often in wet soils. Flowers from April to Juny.