Vicia parviflora Cav.

Spice Flower Image 2

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Vicia

Sinònims: Vicia tetrasperma (L.) Schreb. subsp. gracilis (Loisel.) Hook. Vicia laxiflora Brot.

Catalan common name: Veça. Veçó.

Spanish common name: Garrobilla. Ojo de serpiente.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Therophytic calicole fields. Therophytics communities. Garriques.

Characteristics: A very delicate herb, with narrow, elongated folioles; flowers are small and lilac blue in colour, are found atop of a petiole that is longer than its corresponding leaf. The legumes are short and wide, with 4-6 seeds that have marks just below the valves. Very similar to Vicia pubescens, but this latter species is pilose and has smaller flowers. Flowers during the spring.