Flora canaria > Especies silvestres
Torilis africana
Torilis africana Spreng.
Familia
APIACEAE
Torilis africana, known as bardanilla, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is native to regions stretching from southern Europe to Afghanistan and large parts of the African continent, growing mainly in subtropical and Mediterranean biomes.
It is an erect therophyte herb that usually reaches a height of between 25 and 50 cm (though it can grow up to 80 cm under optimal conditions), with stems that branch at the top.
The basal leaves are pinnatifid (deeply divided, resembling the shape of wild carrot leaves), whilst the upper leaves are smaller, simple and have serrated margins.
The inflorescences are terminal umbels with a small number of rays (usually 2 to 4). Its small petals range in colour from white to shades of pink or purple.
The ovoid fruits, measuring around 3 to 5 mm, are characterised by being covered in numerous spines or hooks that aid their dispersal by clinging to animal fur or clothing.
It grows mainly in ruderal and disturbed areas, such as roadside verges, motorways, ditches, and clearings in scrubland or abandoned farmland. It is found at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,300 metres, and its main flowering period occurs in spring, between March and May.
In scientific circles, it is closely related to and often classified within the Torilis arvensis complex, with the official synonym Torilis arvensis subsp. purpurea frequently being used. Owing to its wide distribution, it has been introduced and has become naturalised in other regions of the world, including US states such as California, Florida and Washington.
Torilis africana, known as bardanilla, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is native to regions stretching from southern Europe to Afghanistan and large parts of the African continent, growing mainly in subtropical and Mediterranean biomes.
It is an erect therophyte herb that usually reaches a height of between 25 and 50 cm (though it can grow up to 80 cm under optimal conditions), with stems that branch at the top.
The basal leaves are pinnatifid (deeply divided, resembling the shape of wild carrot leaves), whilst the upper leaves are smaller, simple and have serrated margins.
The inflorescences are terminal umbels with a small number of rays (usually 2 to 4). Its small petals range in colour from white to shades of pink or purple.
The ovoid fruits, measuring around 3 to 5 mm, are characterised by being covered in numerous spines or hooks that aid their dispersal by clinging to animal fur or clothing.
It grows mainly in ruderal and disturbed areas, such as roadside verges, motorways, ditches, and clearings in scrubland or abandoned farmland. It is found at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1,300 metres, and its main flowering period occurs in spring, between March and May.
In scientific circles, it is closely related to and often classified within the Torilis arvensis complex, with the official synonym Torilis arvensis subsp. purpurea frequently being used. Owing to its wide distribution, it has been introduced and has become naturalised in other regions of the world, including US states such as California, Florida and Washington.
