Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris

Spice In the field

Family: UMBELLIFERAE (APIACEAE)

Genus: Ridolfia

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Uncultivated fields.

Characteristics: An large annual Umbelliferae (up to 210 cm.) Leaves are very divided and can be mistaken for those of the fennel. Can be told apart form this later species as the umbel peduncle is not as long and the entire plant, when in flower, takes on a rounded shape. As well, the umbels are composite, lack bracts and bear yellow flowers. The fruits are egg shaped and are laterally compressed.