Globularia alypum

Scientific description

Taxon: Globularia alypum
Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae (formerly Globulariaceae)
Common name: False alysson globularia

Origin:
Western Mediterranean region.

Description:
Small evergreen shrub under 1 m tall with many upright stems. Leathery, oblong leaves with a single central vein, somewhat sparse and persistent. Flowering from January to March with fragrant blue inflorescences 15–20 mm wide at stem tips.

Propagation:
Mainly by seeds and cuttings; well adapted to dry environments.

Ecology:
Grows in dry, arid habitats such as Mediterranean garrigue along French and Spanish coasts. Prefers poor, well-drained soils.

Uses:
Traditionally used for digestive, purgative, and anti-rheumatic purposes.

Threats:
Least concern globally but vulnerable to habitat loss and land-use change.

Creative writing inspired by Globularia alypum

The witch who wanted revenge

Once upon a time, deep in the woods, there lived a woman with evil intentions. Her aim was to poison the inhabitants of her village because they made fun of her, but all her attempts failed.

So one day, she decided to go to the most remote part of her forest, to the edge of a cliff that led straight down to the sea with huge rocks. There she found a plant she'd seen in one of her old books, a bushy globular, a plant with many good qualities, but in high doses it could be toxic and kill anyone. So she picked whole bushes, took them home and cooked them to put in the river near the village, where many people went.

On the big day, something unexpected happened: rain poured down on the village and nobody went to the river. Mad with rage, the young woman went to the river, cursing her village, but through clumsiness, she stumbled and fell into the lake.

From that day on, she was never seen again.

3D Interactive View

Authentic Specimen