Sporobolus pungens (Schreber) Kunth

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Sporobolus

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Coastal sandy soils.

Characteristics: The fairly stiff leaves of this plant, deposited in pairs amongst the stems, are reminiscent of a couchgrass, although the rigidness of the leaves assures immediate recognition. A plant particular to sandy soils. The inflorescence, located atop of the stems, is relatively short and lax in contrast to the plants size, and bears no resemblance to that of the couchgrass. Flowers at the end of spring and during the summer.