Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench

Spice Detail inflorescence In the field In the field 2 Inflorescence

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Helichrysum

Catalan common name: Flor de mort. Flor de Sant Joan. Flors de tot l'any. Ramell de Sant Ponç. Ramell de tot l'any. Sempreviva borda.

Spanish common name: Manzanilla bastarda. Perpetuas de monte o silvestres. Siempreviva.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Rocky coastlines. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue.

Characteristics: This small shrub lives in garrigues (Mediterranean woodland), often near the sea, in both rocky areas and the dune systems. Its leaves give off a very characteristic aroma (which smells like curry), are linear, small and whitish. The golden flowers are also very characteristic. Along the coast of Eivissa it is also possible, but more rarely so, to find Helichrysum italicum, which is generally larger, but it is necessary to have a good key in order to be sure about differentiating between them.