Anthoxanthum aristatum Boiss.

Spice In the field

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Anthoxanthum

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona.

Distribution in the islands: Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Therophytic silicolous fields. Dry soils.

Characteristics: A small annual Graminea, up to 40 cm on height. All spicules are awned and grouped into a dense, terminal panicle. The whole plant is a yellowish green in colour. Lives in pastures on soils without carbonates. Resembles Anthoxanthum odoratum, but this later is a perennial. Flowers at the end of spring, during the months of May and June.