Ferula communis L. subsp. catalaunica (C. Vicioso) Sànchez & Bernal

Spice Detail In the field Inflorescence

Family: UMBELLIFERAE (APIACEAE)

Genus: Ferula

Catalan common name: Canyafèl·lera. Canyaferla. Fèl·lera.

Spanish common name: Cañaheja. Ferula.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Fields, road sides and disturbed zones.

Characteristics: This is one of the largest herbaceous plants in the Islands. It develops large leaves completely divided in linear segments which are renewed every year (they dry up in summer and come out again in autumn and winter). The inflorescence is spectacular with a stem that can reach up to four metres in height; it is quite thick and usually forms an angle at the node level. This inflorescence can stay erect many months after the dispersal of the fruits. The leaves bear a certain resemblance to fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) but it is quickly distinguished because Ferula does not have the strong liquorice smell of Foeniculum, moreover its leaflet segments are thicker. Flowers in spring.