Phytolacca americana L.

Spice Flower detail Flower Fruit In the field

Family: PHYTOLACCACEAE

Genus: Phytolacca

Catalan common name: Arbre de tinta. Belladona borda. Escopetes. Raïm de guilla. Raïm de l'escopeta. Raïm de moro. Raïm de Sant Salvi. Rem de moro. Tinta.

Spanish common name: Espinacas de América. Fitolaca. Grana encarnada. Hierba carmín. Hierba de la oblea. Tintilla. Uvas de América. Uvas de Indias.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): North American

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Fields and road sides.

Characteristics: A species originally from the Americas. Has naturalized and lives in the torrents and ruderal areas of our islands. This is an herbaceous species that can reach up to three metres in height. Leaves are large, ovate; stems often take on reddish colours. Forms small racemes of white or purple flowers, that when fecund from fleshy, almost black fruits that forms a hanging raceme. Flowers in fall.