Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. subsp. intermedium (Juz.) Markgraf

Spice Flower In the field

Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE

Genus: Vincetoxicum

Catalan common name: Masera. Pebrotera borda.

Spanish common name: Matatósigo. Vincetósigo.

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Cabrera. Dragonera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Eurosiberian

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Rock crevices and cliff faces. Stony zones of the mountains.

Characteristics: An upright herb that has a subterraneous rhizome leaves opposite and shiny, rounded at the base. Flowers are greenish yellow at the base. Lives in rocky areas, normally in cool, shady areas. Very similar to Vincetoxicum nigrum, but can be easily told apart, as the flowers of this latter species are a darker purple in colour and the leaves are elongated at the apex.

Observations: It has been published the taxa V. hirundinaria var. balearicum O. Bolòs & Vigo (1983) which would be endemic from I.Balears, but there are not following studies that give information about its taxonomic value and specific characteristics.