Saturday 31 January 2015

Centaurea clementei

Centaurea clementei

This perennial Knapweed has yellow flowers, which I had just missed as it was going to seed. It flowers from April to June and grows from 30~60cms tall on limestone cliffs, from 700~1,200m altitude. It is native to southern Spain and North Africa. This photograph was taken in Sierra de las Nieves. 

Friday 30 January 2015

Narcissus baeticus or N. assoanus

Narcissus baeticus

Narciso andaluz

This narcissus is endemic to Andalucia and flowers from January~April. It is tiny and never grows taller than 30cms. Each plant has between 1~4 flowers per stem.

I found the last two photographs of this tiny Narcissus flowering today. 15.1.2016. This is the earliest I have ever found them.

Lamium amplexicaule

Lamium amplexicaule Henbit dead nettle

Gallitos

This Lamium was probably native to the Mediterranean originally, but is now found on many continents. It grows from 8~25cms tall and can be found in flower from February to October.

Teucrium fruticans

Teucrium fruticans Tree germander

Olivilla

This shrub is native to western and central Spain. It can grow from 50~1.50cms tall and is often found cultivated in gardens. It flowers from March to June.

Thymus mastichina

Thymus mastichina Mastic thyme

Almoradux

This thyme is endemic to the southern Iberian peninsula. It grows from 20~50cms tall and the leaves give off an eucalyptus type aroma. An essential oil can be made from this plant, called Oil of Marjoram. The leaves can be used fresh at any time in cooking.

Thursday 29 January 2015

Verbascum sinuatum


 Verbascum sinuatum  Wavy  mullien

Gordolobo

This pretty Mullein can smother pastures and hillsides from May to August. It is native to Europe and Asia and can grow from 0.5~3m tall. It can be either biennial or perennial depending on the climate.

Verbascum thapsis


Verbascum thapsis Great mullien

Gordolobo

This Mullien is native to all of Europe, North Africa and Asia. It flowers from May to August and can grow to 2m tall. It is a biennial, flowering alternate years. I hope that I have identified  it correctly as there are so many different species.