Anagyris foetida L.

Spice Flower detail Fruit detail

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Anagyris

Catalan common name: Arbre monjat. Bajoca de moro. Garrofer bord. Garrofer del diable. Garrofer pudent. Garroferet de moro. Garrover del diable. Mongetera d'arbre. Monjetera borda.

Spanish common name: Altramuz del diablo. Chocho del diablo. Collar de bruja. Contera. Contera pudenta. Garrofero del diablo. Hediondo de Europa. Hediondo del diablo. Leño hediondo. Mongetera borda.

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Dye industry. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte. Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Garriques and road sides.

Characteristics: A bush that can reach up to more than two metres in height, with trifoliolate leaves that fall off during the summer. The leaves have a fetid smell. Flowers are greenish yellow, with the standard much shorter than the other petals. The legumes are small, green, carob-shaped fruits. It is a poisonous plant that usually is found in thickets, but close to farm estates. Flowers during the winter and the beginning of spring.