Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum L.

Spice Flower In the field

Family: AIZOACEAE

Genus: Mesembryanthemum

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Rocky and sandy coastlines.

Characteristics: A small annual cycle plant which has fleshy leaves and stems, it always live on the coast in very hot areas affected by the salt of the sea. Sometimes it is able to form a kind of carpet or carpet on only one node; it is very frequent on small isles, often near seagull colonies. At the end of spring it takes on a characteristic reddish colour that can be recognised from afar. This plant and Mesembryanthemum cristallinum are the only native species of a greatly diversified genus in the South African continent.