Vicia bifoliolata J. J. Rodr.

Spice Detail Flower In the field

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Vicia

Catalan common name: Veça.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

Plants protected by law: Bern Convention. National Catalogue. Habitat Directive.

IUCN Category: ENEndangered

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Garriques in coastal areas with silicious soils.

Characteristics: An endemic to the island of Menorca, vary rare and considered to be in danger of extinction. A very diminutive climbing plant with filiform stems. Characterised by it leaves, which only have two folioles (hence its name), almost linear, of one millimetre in width and 3 centimetres in length. The flowers are small, less that a centimetre in length, violet-coloured, located upon a long peduncle. Can be easily over looked due to its small dimensions, and because it cohabitates with many other climbing legumes. Flowers in May.