Tamus communis L.

Spice

Family: DIOSCORIACEAE

Genus: Tamus

Catalan common name: Corriola de cavall. Gatmaimó. Maimó.

Spanish common name: Brionia negra. Nueza negra.

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

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Some regions

Uses and properties: Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Oakforest. Hedges. Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Rock creviceses and shady zones (torrent sides).

Characteristics: A liana with heart-shaped leaves, are very tender and without a mid-rib, venation very well marked, these characters quickly tell it apart form Smilax aspera. Flowers are unisexual and hang in elongated racemes from the leaf axils. Fruits are berries, red and a centimetre in diameter. This plant lives preferably in shady areas, flowers in spring.