Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv.

Spice In the field Panicle

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Setaria

Sinònims: Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv. subsp. aparine (Steudel) Asch.

Catalan common name: Aferradissos. Cerreig. Forcadella. Herba aferradissa. Herba arrapadissa. Herba del lladre. Millaroca. Moixos. Panissola. Xares. Xarrell. Xereix aferradís.

Spanish common name: Amor de hortelano. Hierba mijera. Lagartera. Panicillo.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Cultivated fields, disturbed zones.

Characteristics: Setaria are Gramenes which can be characterised because the spikelets have bristles covered in prickles, which can generally be noticed by their feel: as if they scratched. Setaria verticillata has downward pointing prickles, so we notice it is rough when we run our fingers from bottom to top. The other Setaria have upward pointing prickles, therefore they are rough from top to bottom. These prickles stick to animals' hair and to the shoelaces! And they help plant dispersion. It lives in disturbed places, farmlands and along path-sides. It flowers in spring and autumn.