Osyris alba L.

Spice Fruits In the field

Family: SANTALACEAE

Genus: Osyris

Catalan common name: Assots. Gessamí de llop. Ginesta blanca. Ginesta de bolles vermelles. Ginestó.

Spanish common name: Espantalobos. Guardalobo. Retama loca o blanca.

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Dragonera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte. Perennial.

Habitats: Oakforest. Hedges. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Walls, disturbed zones and garriques.

Characteristics: A very well branched shrub in the form of a broom, with green branches covered with lanceolate and leathery leaves. Has red fruits that are about a centimetre in diameter. Flowers during the spring.