Leucojum aestivum L. subsp. pulchellum (Salisb.) Briq.

Spice Flowers

Family: AMARYLLIDACEAE

Genus: Leucojum

Catalan common name: Assa.

Spanish common name: Campanilla de primavera.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Humid soils and torrent sides.

Characteristics: This plant lives alongside torrent borders and in wet soils. Its leaves are spadate without any apparent central nerve. The shoot forms a subterraneous bulb from which the leaves and inflorescences emerge each year. The flowers are formed at the top of the stem and are compressed with acute margins. The flowers hang from this structure and are white in colour with a green spot at the extreme. Flowers during winter and spring.