Hypericum balearicum L.

Spice Flowers Fruit In the field

Family: GUTTIFERAE

Genus: Hypericum

Sinònims: Hypericum balearicum L. var. ochroleucum F. Herm.

Catalan common name: Estepa joana. Estepa oliera. Estèpera joana. Sacorrel.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Oakforest. Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Mainly in the mountain areas.

Characteristics: The Hypericum balearicum is one of the emblematic plants of the Balearic Islands. A beautiful endemic shrub that is relatively common to the Serra de Tramuntana, and less common in the other isles. It is easy to recognize by its thick leaves, with undulate margins and large glands that can also be found upon the stems. The entire plant has a very characteristic aroma. The flowers are large and yellow in colour, and standout upon dark green colour of the plant.