Schenkia spicata (L.) G. Mans.

Spice

Family: GENTIANACEAE

Genus: Schenkia

Sinònims: Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. València.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Holoartica

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Litoral marshes and riparian. Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Rocky coastlines. Salty soils.

Characteristics: An annual cycle plant, particular to saline soils and the littoral zone, has a small rosette of basal leaves with an upright inflorescence, also with very upright branches. Flowers are pink and typically form a sort of elongate and unilateral spicule that allows one to distinguish this species from the others of the same genus found in the same environments. Flowers in May and June.