Matthiola fruticulosa (Loefl. ex L.) Maire

Spice Detail Flower In the field

Family: CRUCIFERAE (BRASSICACEAE)

Genus: Matthiola

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Lleida. València.

Distribution in the islands: Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Garriques and dry soils.

Characteristics: We can find this wonderful plant in the moors and wasteland of the Pitiüses (Eivissa and Formentera). It is recognised when it is in flower because it has four petals in a cross, sometimes facing backwards, which are strangely wavy, moreover the colour of the flowers is also amazing changing in the same place: violet, pink, yellowish, or white. The fruits, like all the Matthiola are long, rigid capsules (siliques). It is a perennial plant, bush-shaped which does not grow above 40 cm, with flat, linear, greyish leaves. It flowers in spring.