Launaea cervicornis (Boiss) F.Q. et Rothm.

Spice Flower In the field In the field 2

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Launaea

Catalan common name: Eriçó. Gatell. Gatovell. Socarrell.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Dragonera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Castal areas and cliff faces.

Characteristics: This is a woody species that resembles a small spiny cushion, and it is a socarell endemic to Mallorca that lives very close to the sea in the rocky zones. Its name refers to the shape of its spiny branches that vaguely resemble deer antlers. When flowering (at the end of spring) its yellow capitols make it easy to differentiate from other socarells (with the exception of Femeniasia balearica) that belong to other families: Papilionaceae, Smilaceae, and Labiatae.