Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) Moris

Spice Flower detail Flower In the field

Family: CHENOPODIACEAE

Genus: Arthrocnemum

Sinònims: Arthrocnemum glaucum Ung.-Sternb.

Catalan common name: Ballaster. Mamelluts. Sosa dura.

Spanish common name: Alacranera. Almajo. Garbancillo. Sapina. Solicuernos.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Litoral marshes and riparian. Rocky coastlines. Salty soils. Coastal areas.

Characteristics: This bush lives in clay and saline soils. It can withstand sporadic flooding. It has fleshy, articulate stalks, and its leaves are reduced to small scales. It can easily be confused with Sarcocornia fruticosa which it lives with in many brackish water areas on the islands. It can be recognised because it forms inflorescences on the two-year-old branches, thus they remain hidden on the inside of the shrub, whereas Arthrocnemum macrostachyum forms inflorescences on the young branches so they are exposed at the top of the shrub.