Genista valdes-bermejoi Talavera & L. Sáez

Spice Flower In the field

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Genista

Sinònims: Genista acanthoclada DC. subsp. balearica (Porta) Colom Genista acanthoclada DC. subsp. fasciculata (Knoche) O. Bòlos & J. Vigo

Catalan common name: Gatosa. Gatova vera.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

IUCN Category: VUVulnerable

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Xero-acanthic shrubs of the mountanous regions, and steppe-grasslands of Ampelodesmos mauritanica. Rocky coastlines. Stony soils in windy areas.

Characteristics: This broom is endemic to Mallorca, densely spined and in the form of small, round bushes especially in windy areas. The stems are thick and rigid, and the trifoliolate leaves fall-off with ease. The flowers are yellow and solitary. Can be confused with Genista lucida, which is also very spiny and rounded in shape, but can be told apart as for the later the stems are less rigid with finer spines, with only simple leaves. Flowers in May.