Carqueja

Pterospartum tridentatum

Layer 3 · Shrubs
Nitrogen fixer

Status by region

No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.

Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).

Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.

About

Native to the Iberian Peninsula, carqueja is a perennial subshrub that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. It adapts to poor, dry soils, being a crucial pioneer plant in regenerative systems.

See which trees carqueja grows well with

Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.

No account needed.

Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Subshrub up to 1 m
Mature diameter: 0.8 m
Soils: Loam, Sandy
Climates: Atlantic coast, Hot, dry Mediterranean, Mountain / cold

Calendar

January
February — Planting
March — Harvest — Planting
April — Harvest
May — Harvest
June
July
August
September
October — Planting
November — Planting
December

Harvest
Planting

Medicinal use: The dried flowers are used in traditional teas to relieve sore throats and respiratory problems.

Where to buy

Grows well with

Central trees this plant has already been paired with.

Central trees worth considering

May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.