Coronilla scorpioides (L.) Koch

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Coronilla

Catalan common name: Alacranera. Banya de cabra. Herba d'escorpí. Herba de l'amor. Herba enamorada. Peu de pardal.

Spanish common name: Hierba del alacrán. Hierba del amor. Hierba del escorpión.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Therophytic calicole fields. Cultivated fields. Therophytic communities.

Characteristics: A small annual herb which lives prostrate on the ground. It is very easy to recognise because its flowers have a terminal, oval leaflet that is much larger than the rest. The whole plant is whitsh-green, except the flowers which are yellow. The fruits are also unmistakable because they are long, thin and articulate, and are curved like a scorpion's tail (hence its name). It lives in the clearings of garrigues (Mediterranean woodland) and in dry farmlands. It flowers at the end of winter and spring.