Callitriche brutia Petagna

Spice Leaves In the field

Family: CALLITRICHACEAE

Genus: Callitriche

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Life-forms: Hydrophyte. Terophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches)

Characteristics: A plant that lives entirely submerged in the seasonal pools or small water currents, although can live above surface when these bodies of water dry out. It is a very tender plant, clear green and covered with linear leaves, at time sit may form an apical rosette of leaves slightly wider than the rest that float upon the water surface. Flowers and fruits are very small and remain submerged. Telling this species apart from the genus Callitriche is very difficult and requires the aid of a classification key.