Smilax aspera L. var. balearica Willk. ex A.DC.

Spice Fruit detail Flower Fruit

Family: LILIACEAE

Genus: Smilax

Catalan common name: Aritja balearica.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Phanerophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Rocky coastlines. Windy zones and cliff faces; also in costal areas.

Characteristics: This liana is covered with prickles, the stems as well as the leaves. The leaves are heart shaped, and can be more or less wide or elongated at the point, which is arrow shaped, but the basal auricles are always rounded. Flowers form umbels that hang form a peduncle. The more common subspecies differs form subsp. balearica in that it almost has no leaves and the stems are very thick, and it does not form lianas but spiny bushes. On the other hand, subsp. altissima has very wide leaves that are almost wider than they are long and without spines. In all, there are many transition forms between the three species.