Carduncellus balearicus (J.J. Rodr.) G. López

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Carduncellus

Sinònims: Femeniasia balearica (Rodr.) Susanna

Catalan common name: Socarrell bord.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

Plants protected by law: Bern Convention. National Catalogue.

IUCN Category: VUVulnerable

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte. Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Coastal zones.

Characteristics: This is a genus and species endemic of Menorca. It is a bush in the shape of a pincushion which is so characteristic of the coastal plant communities in the Balearics and in Menorca in particular. Of all the endemisms with this morphology this is the rarest, in fact it is catalogued as being in danger of extinction. It can be recognised by its thorns which are very sharp and are grouped like three-pronged forks. The flowers are yellow and are always defended by its thorns.