Valerianella eriocarpa Desv.

Spice Detail

Family: VALERIANACEAE

Genus: Valerianella

Catalan common name: Dolceta. Herba dels canonges. Margarideta. Margaridoia.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

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

Characteristics: A small herbaceous plant with leaves entire, lanceolate and opposite; branching is dichotomous. The inflorescences are terminal in the form of small and false umbels of pink flowers. What distinguishes the species of this genus from each other is principally the fruit morphology. In this case the fructifying calyx is situated in the fruit apex, in the form of an incomplete corona, obliquely truncated and erect with small awnless teeth.