Malva hispanica

Malva hispanica Annual Mallow

Malva blanca

This pretty annual is native to the Mediterranean and NW Africa. It can grow to a height of 50cms tall, but is usually smaller.It flowers from April to June.

Cephalaria linearifolia

Cephalaria linearifolia White scabious

Escabiosa blanca

This white Scabious is native to south and southeast of the Iberian peninsula. It flowers from June to September, and the single stems can reach a height of over a metre tall. It is found at altitudes of 1,000~2,000m.

Melica ciliata

Melica ciliata Hairy or Silky Melic

Espiguillas de seda

This attractive grass is a perennial bunch grass native to Europe, north Africa and temperate Asia. Until yesterday I had never seen it before. It was very attractive blowing in the wind. It grows from 50~100cms tall.

Cachrys libanotis

Cachrys libanotis

This grassy perennial is found on coasts and dunes in western Mediterranean, though this one was inland at Osuna. It flowers from April to June and can grow as tall as 120cms. Other than this, I cannot find much information about it at all.

Anthyllis cytisoides

Anthyllis cytisoides 

Albaida

This wonderful shrub is native to the southern Iberian peninsula, France and NW Africa. It grows from 40~90cms (16~30ins) tall and is found on dry, calcareous soils. it is not found above an altitude of 1,000m

If I have identified it incorrectly, someone will tell be, but I believe it is correct.

Silene vulgaris

Silene vulgaris Bladder campion

Collejas

I found a group of these pink Silenes, normally they are white or cream. It is native to Europe and the young shoots and leaves are eaten raw or cooked in some Mediterranean countries. It grows from 20~60cms (8~ 24ins) tall and flowers from April to July.

Erysimum rondae

Erysimum rondae The Ronda wallflower

This biennial or short lived perennial is endemic to the Serrania de Ronda mountains, Sierra de las Nieves, Mijas and Ojen. It is found at an altitude from 700~1,700m. This was photographed at Grazalema. It can grow from 10~80cms tall, but the specimens I found in a rocky crag were small. It flowers from April to June. There are several endemic wallflowers in southern Spain.

Catananche caerulea

Catananche caerulea Cupid's dart

Hierba cupido

I found this beautiful plant for the first time yesterday. It really is a lot more blue than the photos show. It is native to SW Europe and north Africa and is a short lived perennial. It grows very tall, to a height of 50~70cms and was growing out of limestone crags. It flowers from May to July. It was used by the ancient Greeks in love potions, hence it's common name.

Orchis champagneuxii

Orchis champagneuxii Champagne orchid

This orchid was at first thought to be O. champagneuxii but it was then decided by orchid experts that it is a cross between O. champagneuxii and O. olbiensis. The Champagne orchid is native to Portugal, Spain, Balearics, France and Morocco. It is found in open scrubland and forests. This one was on the edge of a forest, at Grazalema, Spain and was approx 25cms tall.

There is much discussion going on about this orchid, 12.5.2015, so I really do not know what it is as yet. It has now been decided that this is O. champagneuxii, rather than O. x mezquitiensis, which occurs much further east in Andalucia.

Ophrys tenthredinifera ssp ficalhoana

Ophrys tenthredinifera ssp ficalhoana Sawfly orchid, subspecies

This subspecies of the Sawfly area is endemic to certain areas. It flowers later than O. tenthredinifera, from April to June and the labellum is greater than 20mm, usually 25mm.

Several were found around Grazalema on 8.5.2015

Echium plantagineum

Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's bugloss

Viborera

I found a colony of pink Echiums among the blues and purples. It grows from 30~60cms tall and flowers from February to July. It is native to southern Europe, north Africa and SW Asia.It is highly toxic to grazing livestock, but contains nutrients that are used in cosmetic and skin care products.

Scorzonera hispanica

Scorzonera hispanica Spanish salsify

This beautiful plant is native to southern Europe, and grows from 30~60cms tall. The roots are very nutritious and this plant is cultivated in Belgium, France and the Netherlands for worldwide distribution. 

Anchusa italica/azurea

Anchusa italica/azurea Large blue alkanet

Chupamieles

This beautiful blue, bristly plant is native to Europe and western Asia. It flowers from April to July and can grow 30~80cms tall. 

Buglossoides arvensis

Buglossoides arvensis Corn gromwell

This plant flowers from March to June and can be found in many countries in Europe, and has naturalised worldwide. It grows from 10~ 40cms tall. It is now cultivated in some countries for it's Seed Oil.

Centaurea pullata ssp.pullata

Centaurea pullata ssp.pullata  Southern knapweed

Cabeza de pollo

This beautiful knapweed is native to the western Mediterranean and north Africa, though it has since naturalised in the eastern Mediterranean. It grows to an height of 30cms, and flowers from March June.

Crupina vulgaris

Crupina vulgaris Common vulgaris

This elegant plant is native to Europe, Asia and north Africa. It has now naturalised in other parts of the world. It can grow to an height of 80cms and will grow in any soil types. It flowers from April to June.

Echinops strigosum

Echinops strigosum Globe thistle

Cardo yesquero

This Globe thistle is native to the Iberian peninsula and Morocco, It flowers from May to August and can reach an height of 80cms. It can be found up to an altitude of 1,600m.

Onopordum illyricum

Onopordum illyricum Illyrian thistle

Cardo del demonio

This wonderful biennial thistle is native to SW Europe and flowers from May to July. It can reach an height of 2 metres. The flowers really are a deep blue.