Stipa offneri Breistr.

Spice In the field

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Stipa

Catalan common name: Pelaguer junci.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitat: Pine woods and garriques.

Characteristics: Like all Stipa, this species has its flowers in the form of an awn that forms rather shaggy looking inflorescences. Forms compact clumps of vegetation that resembles a cluster of rushes, which are overshadowed by long inflorescences that can reach over a half a meter in height. When in flower it is easy to recognize as a Stipa by the awn, and can be easily distinguished from Stipa capensis as the awn is much larger than this species and it is perennial. Inhabits pine woodlands, especially in the clearings of these. Flowers during the spring.