Lythrum hyssopifolia L.

Spice Flower detail In the field In the field 2

Family: LYTHRACEAE

Genus: Lythrum

Spanish common name: Arroyuelo. Hierba del toro. Hipericón colorado.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Tarragona.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Cosmopolitan and subcosmopolitan

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Therophytic silicolous fields. Therophytic communities in humid soils. Pond sides.

Characteristics: A herbaceous plant, very common to the banks of ponds, torrents, and wet soils in general. Branches grow prostrate, leaves are elongate and green, contrasting with the reddish stems. Flowers emerge from the leaf axil, are solitary, rose coloured and generally with five or six petals. Lythrum thymifolia, a similar species, has normally only four petals. Flowers at the end of spring and during the summer.