Herniaria cinerea D. C.

Spice In the field 1 In the field 2

Family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Genus: Herniaria

Sinònims: Herniaria hirsuta L. subsp. cinerea (DC.) Arcang.

Catalan common name: Herba de mal de pedra. Herba de Noé. Pixosa. Trencapedra.

Spanish common name: Hierba de la orina. Hierba de quebrado. Milgranos. Quebrantapiedral. Sueldatripas. Turquita.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

Uses and properties: Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Therophytic calicole fields. Cultivated fields, path and road sides.

Characteristics: This species is not at all rare in dry farmlands, clearings in garrigues (Mediterranean woodland), along path-sides... but it can go unnoticed due to the fact that its flowers are not eye-catching, its leaves are small and the grey colour of the whole plant makes it not very attractive. The leaves are hairy and completely cover the stems which are prostrate on the ground. It is a plant known as a medicinal plant which was used to treat hernias (hence the name) and to treat kidney stones.