Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Spice Fruit detail Fruto In the field

Family: SOLANACEAE

Genus: Withania

Catalan common name: Orval.

Spanish common name: Oroval.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Castelló. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Disturbed and sunny zones.

Characteristics: This bush inhabits disturbed areas, as long as they are sunny and dry. The leaves and stems are covered with hairs, and the leaves are more or less ovate. Flowers emerge in compact groups from the leaf axils in the shape of a greenish bell. When fructifying this structure forms a small red berry. Flowers at the end of spring and all summer long, even until fall.