Astragalus balearicus Chater

Spice Detail Detail flower In the field 1 In the field 2

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Astragalus

Catalan common name: Eixorba-rates negre. Eriçons. Gatovell o Coixinet de monja. Socorrela.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Rocky coastlines. Windy places in the mountains and coastal areas.

Characteristics: This is a densely thorny, rounded shrub. Its leaves are divided into leaflets and with time the rachis turns into a thorn. It lives in windy places, both on the coast and in the mountains, and is a characteristic feature of our xeroacantiques endemic to the Balearics. The species is native to the eastern Balearics but is related to other thorny Mediterranean Astragalus.