Arctium chaberti Briq. subsp. balearicum Arènes

Spice Flower In the field

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Arctium

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Life-forms: Biennial. Hemicryptophyte.

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

Characteristics: This is one of the largest herbaceous plants of the Balearic Flora. Can easily reach above a metre and a half in height and its basal leaves can be up to a half a metre in length. Lives alongside torrent banks, in wetlands and often shady areas. It is a biennial: during the first year the basal leaf rosette is formed and during the second the inflorescence emerges and flowers. The stem leaves are not as large as the rest and are more ore less triangular in shape. The capitula, which are not as large, are rounded and are characterized by the involving bract points forming the shape of a hook. Cannot be mistaken for any other local species. Flowers during the months of June and July.