Astragalus balearicus Chater

Taxonomic Identity and Growth Form

Astragalus balearicus Chater is a small, round shrub with dense, leafy foliage.

Leaf Characteristics

Its leaves are 1 to 3 cm (0.39 to 1.2 inches) long, and typically divided into three to five leaflets.

Flower Characteristics and Bloom Period

The flowers are 10 to 13 mm (0.39 to 0.51 inches) long, and bloom between March and July.

Fruit Characteristics

Its legumes are 7 to 9 mm (0.28 to 0.35 inches) long, hairless (glabrous), and slightly oval in shape.

Common Names

Its overall appearance resembles a hedgehog, which gives it the local popular name eriçóns, meaning hedgehog. It also has other local common names: coixinet de monja (nun’s pad) and eixorba-rates negre (black rat).

Endemic Distribution Range

This legume species is endemic to the islands of Mallorca and Minorca in the Mediterranean Sea.

Local Abundance and Landscape Role

Its cushion-shaped thorny growth forms a characteristic landscape feature of these islands, and it is especially abundant in the Serra de Tramuntana.

Habitat Elevation and Substrate

It grows on limestone soils located over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level.

Preferred Environmental Conditions

It favors dry, windy, highly exposed environments, which can be either mountainous or coastal, with deep calcareous soils.

Associated Plant Species

It occurs alongside other species such as Paeonia cambessedesii.

Conservation Status

The IUCN Red List lists this species as Least Concern.