Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br.

Spice Flowers In the field

Family: CRUCIFERAE (BRASSICACEAE)

Genus: Matthiola

Catalan common name: Violer. Violer bord.

Spanish common name: Alelí blanco o encarnado.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Tarragona.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte. Terophyte.

Habitats: Rock crevices and cliff faces. Garden plants. Rocky surfaces and dry stone walls. Gardens and sometimes subespontaneous.

Characteristics: This plant is covered by a pilosity that gives it a whitish colour, has leaves that are grouped in bunches at the top ends of the stems, flowers are purple, though at times pink or white. Resembles Matthiola sinuata, but this latter species lives along the beach and has its leaves at the base of the plant in a rosette form and usually very divided.