Tuesday 23 February 2016

Coronilla juncea


Coronilla juncea

Coronilla de hoja fina

This shrub is native to the west Mediterranean, especially south of the Iberian peninsula, and the Balaeric Islands. It can grow to 1.5 metres tall and is very attractive when in full flower. The flowering period is from February to June and is found at 0~800m altitude. It prefers limestone.

Monday 22 February 2016

Brassica napus



  1. Brassica napus Oilseed Rape
Nabo

This cultivated Rape has started to flower in February in the Osuna area. It can grow up to over 1m in height and some areas of the world it can flower up until September. It is a cultivated plant grown for it's oil and seeds. It is also used for animal feeds and  biodiesel.

Sunday 7 February 2016

Smyrnium olusatrum



Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders or Horse Parsley

Apio caballar

This plant, native to the Mediterranean is now found all over Europe. It is edible and tastes like a cross between Celery and Parsley. It was used by the Romans, leaves, seeds and roots. It will have black berries when mature and flowers from February to May. It can grow to an height of 150cms. It is found growing in hedgerows and banks.


Wednesday 3 February 2016

Euphorbia segetalis


Euphorbia segetalis Field spurge

This Spurge flowers all through the year, as long as there is the occassional rain. It is thought to be a native of the Canary Islands, and is now naturalised throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. It grows from 20~40cms tall and is considered a pest in places. It is found in fields, wasteland and olive groves. It has an erect stem as shown here, often red in colour. I will try to get better photos of the flower.



Torilis arvensis


Torilis arvensis Hedge parsley

Bardanilla

I cannot  be certain of this identification because you need the seeds for a 100% verification. This plant is native to Europe and grows to an height of 1 metre. It flowers from May to July and has lovely delicate toothed leaves. It is an annual and appears on disturbed ground.

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Centranthus macrosiphon

Centranthus macrosiphon Valerian

Valeriana

This Valerian is native to Spain and North Africa but has now naturalised in Italy, Greece and Australia. It can grow to an height of 50cms, but is often much smaller when found growing in the mountains. It likes wasteland and verges and flowers from March to June.