Trachelium caeruleum L.

Spice Detail In the field Inflorescence

Family: CAMPANULACEAE

Genus: Trachelium

Catalan common name: Setge blau.

Spanish common name: Flor de la viuda.

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Aromatic. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches).

Characteristics: A woody plant that grows to 100 cm. in height. Unmistakable for its blackish-red stems and for the small and abundant blue flowers grouped in large terminal glomerules that can reach up to 10 cm. in width. The leaves are ovate with serrate margin peciolate and with a reddish coloured venation.