Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth

Spice Bracts Flower In the field

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Reichardia

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Rocky coastlines. Therophytic calicole fields.

Characteristics: A herb belonging to the Compositae family, with the typical yellow capitulum which is common to so many Mediterranean species, but with the important difference that the centre of the capitulum is blackish purple. This last feauture allows us to distinguish this species from most of the other Compositae, especially from Reichardia picroides. Moreover the bracts of the involucre have an upside-down heart-shape, but with a wide membranous margin, and they are much larger than in Reichardia picroides. This species lives in coastal places.