Stachys brachyclada De Noë ex Cosson

Spice Flower In the field

Family: LABIATAE (LAMIACEAE)

Genus: Stachys

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Girona. Tarragona.

Distribution in the islands: Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Rocky surfaces and dry stone walls. Rock creviceses and slopes near the coast.

Characteristics: Small erect herb with leaves opposite and that develops the flowers in the leaf axils. Flowers are white, with a bi-lobate superior labellum. Can be confused with Sideritis romana, another Labiatae with white flowers, although this later species normally has prostrate branches that grow along the ground, and the superior labium of the calyx is larger that rest. In contrast, Stachys brachyclada is erect and the teeth of the calyx are all the same size. Usually found close to the sea in rocky enclaves, flowers in spring.