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Thursday 31 October 2013
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Monday 28 October 2013
Anchusa granatensis
Anchusa granatensis Wavy-leaved anchusa
Chupamieles
Synonym: Anchusa undulata ssp granatensis
This plant is native to the Mediterranean at anywhere between 200-1.700 metres. It can grow from 15-60cms and supposedly flowers from April to June, but this photograph was taken in late February in central Andalucia.
Chupamieles
Synonym: Anchusa undulata ssp granatensis
This plant is native to the Mediterranean at anywhere between 200-1.700 metres. It can grow from 15-60cms and supposedly flowers from April to June, but this photograph was taken in late February in central Andalucia.
Sunday 27 October 2013
Saturday 26 October 2013
Carlina gummifera
Carlina gummifera Stemless atractylis
Cardo ajonjero
Synonym: Atractylis gummifera
This highly toxic plant flowers from August to November. The juice of the rhizomes can cause Hepatitis and fatal liver failure, especially in young children. It is native to the Mediterranean and north Africa. Photograph taken in Tarifa area.
Thursday 24 October 2013
Wednesday 23 October 2013
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Chondrilla juncea
Chondrilla juncea Devil's grass
Achicoria dulce
This plant was originally native to Europe, Asia and north Africa. Now it is known worldwide as a noxious weed. The Spanish name translates as Sweet Chicory, and some people have mistaken it for Chicory. It can grow from 40-120cms and flowers from July to October.
Monday 21 October 2013
Jurinea pinnata
Escobilla
This plant grows in central and southern Spain above an altitude of 850 metres. The plant grows from 5-20cms tall on calcareous soils. I found an article saying that it only grows on Dolomite or Gypsum soils. It flowersin June and July. This photograph was taken at Sierra de las Nieves. It is a rare species also found in Grazalema.
This plant grows in central and southern Spain above an altitude of 850 metres. The plant grows from 5-20cms tall on calcareous soils. I found an article saying that it only grows on Dolomite or Gypsum soils. It flowersin June and July. This photograph was taken at Sierra de las Nieves. It is a rare species also found in Grazalema.
Sunday 20 October 2013
Abies pinsapo
Abies pinsapo Spanish or Hedgehog fir
Pinsapo
This severely threatened tree is only found in southern Spain and the Rif mountains of Morocco. It is found at between 900m-1,700m in Sierra de las Nieves, Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra Bermeja. In the Rif mountains it is found up to 2.100m altitude. It flowers from April to June and can grow from 20-30 metres tall. It was almost wiped out completely by glacial ice during the Ice Age. Only a few trees remained and now they are protected and cultivated in National Parks. Fire is a great risk to them.
It is on the Red List of Threatened Plants.
Asphodelus aestivus
Asphodelus aestivus Common asphodel
Synonymns: A. ramosus
A. microcarpus
This majestic plant can start blooming in December and continue flowering for several months. It looks wonderful covering banks and hillsides with hundreds of plants. It can grow from 50-150cms and is native to southern Europe.
Saturday 19 October 2013
Pistacia terebinthus
Pistacia terebinthus Turpentine tree or Terebinth
Terebinto
This deciduous large shrub or tree can grow as high as 10 metres and has a strong smell of resin. It is a Dioecious tree, having both male and female flowers and berries in the autumn. I really must improve on this photograph as it is not very good. It flowers from March to May and is native to the Mediterranean.
Pistacia lentiscus
Pistacia lentiscus Lentisc or Mastic tree
Lentisco
This evergreen shrub or tree is native to the whole of the Mediterranean countries, and can grow up to 4 metres tall. It is a Dioecious tree, having both male and female flowers. It has a strong smell of resin, which is collected in some countries, especially Greece. It offers protection and food when it berries in the autumn for many birds. It flowers from February to April.
Friday 18 October 2013
Calendula arvensis ssp arvensis
Calendula arvensis ssp arvensis Field marigold
Flamenquilla
This wonderful marigold can be in flower the whole year on verges and under trees in orchards. The only months you may not see it is late summer if there has been no rain. It grows no more than 15cms tall usually. It is native to central and southern Europe.
This lovely Field marigold is starting to flower again now in late November after 2 recent showers.
This lovely Field marigold is starting to flower again now in late November after 2 recent showers.
Thursday 17 October 2013
Wednesday 16 October 2013
Arisarum simorrhinum
Arisarum simorrhinum Friar's cowl
Candilejos
This usually low growing plant can be found from November to May, and it can grow stalks up to 30cms in certain places. Most parts are poisonous. Previous name was Arisarum vulgare ssp simorrhinum.
It can be found on the Iberian peninsula, south France and north west Africa.