Polygala vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris

Spice Flower detail In the field

Family: POLYGALACEAE

Genus: Polygala

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Eurosiberian

IUCN Category: VUVulnerable

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Rock crevices and cliff faces. Garriques of the mountains.

Characteristics: Small plant with climbing branches, sparse lanceolate leaves and flowers in terminal racemes, rose-purple in colour. Flowers are pendulous with a much divided petal (laciniate). The calyx is formed by two parts taking the shape of folded wings, the rose-purple colour turns a greenish white when the flower fructifies, and does not occlude the corolla.