Buglossoides arvensis (L.) I.M. Johnst.

Spice Flower In the field

Family: BORAGINACEAE

Genus: Buglossoides

Sinònims: Lithospermum arvense L.

Spanish common name: Mijo del sol.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Therophytic calicole fields. Cultivated fields, roads and therophytic communities.

Characteristics: An annual erect plant, usually with only one stem. Narrow leaves, without petiole and covered with hairs that are scratchy to the touch. Flowers are small, (1 cm), and white with five petals fused for almost their entire length; and are situated above an inflorescence shaped like the stinger of a scorpion, which is usual for the Boraginaceae, Upon fructification, the calyx grows out and the sepals open outward; the fruit is formed of four pieces and is slightly wrinkled. Flowers at the end of winter and during the spring.