Stipa capensis Thunb.

Spice In the field 1 In the field 2 Inflorescence

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Stipa

Catalan common name: Barró. Espart de cordell. Rompsac. Ronsac.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte. Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Therophytic calicole fields. Fields and road sides.

Characteristics: All Stipa can be recognized by their very long awns, in the case of Stipa capensis, the awns are between 5 to 10 cm and when they are almost mature they intertwine, becoming completely wrapped up in one and another (This species has also been named Stipa retorta). This is a Graminae that forms relatively dense meadows, although never with much stand height; are always found in dry and open spaces.