Cytinus ruber Fourr. ex Fritsch

Spice In the field

Family: RAFFLESIACEAE

Genus: Cytinus

Catalan common name: Filosa. Frare d'estepa vermell. Magraneta. Margalida.

Spanish common name: Hipocístide rojo.

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Parasite plant of Cistus.

Characteristics: A perennial plant, parasitic to species of the genus Cistus. When flowers, emerges to the exterior in the form of a very fleshy edge, covered with leaves or bracts that are reddish in colour on the superior part. Can be distinguished from the species hypocistis, as this later species has its floral pieces and fruit that are yellow, not white in colour.