Atractylis cancellata L.

Spice Flowers In the field 1 In the field 2

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Atractylis

Catalan common name: Enreixada.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Therophytic calicole fields. Therophytic communities in coastal areas.

Characteristics: It is a relatively small species, the leaves are only dentate and they are whitish due to the presence of pilosity. The capitulum is very characteristic (it appears at ground level) because it is surrounded by very narrow bracts covered with small spines that look like the feet of an insect. The capitulum takes time to open, at which time the purple flowers can be seen. When it bears fruit the whole capitulum opens and drops all the fruits which have a big pappus on the ground. It lives in clearings in garrigues (Mediterranean woodland); it is an annual plant. It flowers at the end of spring.