Tuesday 30 June 2015

Umbilicus horizontalis

Umbilicus horizontalis or U. gaditanus Horizontal Navelwort

Ombligo de Venus

This attractive succulent is native to the Mediterranean area in rocky outcrops. it is different to other Navelwort, whose flowers droop, in the fact that these flowers remain horizontal. It can grow to 25cms (10 inches) tall. The leaves are often round rather than wavy as shown here. it flowers from March to May.

Saturday 27 June 2015

Arundo donax

Arundo donax Giant reed

This enormous reed can be in flower 12 months of the year in damp soil, either fresh water or saline. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and middle east Asia. It possibly grows in north Africa too. It has been planted and cultivated worldwide. It can grow to a height of 6 metres (20 feet).



Friday 26 June 2015

Helleborus foetidus

Helleborus foetidus Stinking hellebore

Eléboro apestoso

This hellebore flowers from January~May and can grow up to 70cms tall. It is native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, Greece and Asia Minor. It can be found in many parts of England. It is cultivated in many temperate areas of the world.

Delphinium gracile

Delphinium gracile

Espuelas de caballero

This delicate Delphinium flowers from June to August and is native to the Iberian peninsula. It can grow up to 40cms tall.

Delphinium pentagynum

Delphinium pentagynum

This Delphinium flowers from May ~ July and is native to south of the Iberian peninsula and NW Africa. It can grow at least 1 metre tall.


Delphinium staphisagria

Delphinium staphisagria Stavesacre

This lovely Delphinium flowers from May~July and is native to the Mediterranean. It can grow 4~5 feet tall (over 1 metre). The seeds have been used for centuries to combat body lice!

Monday 15 June 2015

Dianthus anticarius


Dianthus anticarius Dianthus or Pink

This beautiful Pink flowers from May to July and can grow from 20~40cms tall. It is native to SW of the Iberian peninsula and NW Africa. To id correctly you have to see the back of the petals which are tinged yellow or green, as these are I am told.

Sunday 14 June 2015

Allium baeticum

Allium baeticum Allium

This new plant for me was photographed at Grazalema. It is native to south of the Iberian peninsula and NW Africa. It grows from 45~80cms tall. It flowers from May to July.

Monday 8 June 2015

Ononis ramosissima

Ononis ramosissima  Bush Restharrow

Pegamoscas

This shrub is native to the Mediterranean and north Africa. It grows from 10~70cms tall and flowers from March to July.
Synonym, O. natrix ssp ramosisima.


Tetragonolobus purpureus


Tetragonolobus purpureus Winged or Asparagus pea

This beauty flowers from February to may and is native to the Mediterranean. It grows from 20~60cms and is cultivated in many places for its edible green seed pods.

Melilotus indicus

Melilotus indicus Small sweet clover

Meliloto

This annual or biennial plant is native to Africa, Europe and Asia, but has now naturalised all over the world. It grows fro 10~50cms tall and flowers in the spring. It provides nectar for bees, and is used as a forage plant, and to improve soil. I am not 100% sure I have the correct id.




Melilotus officinalis

Melilotus officinalis Yellow seet clover

Meliloto

This biennial is native to Eurasia but has now spread to other continents. It grows from 2 to 4 feet tall,  60~120cms. It is often found on verges and pasture. It flowers from April to July.

Friday 5 June 2015

Scabiosa atropurpurea


Scabiosa atropurpurea Scabious

Escobilla morisca

This lovely Scabious varies in colour from pink to mauve, and this one really was this bright. They grow from 30~80cms tall on a single stem and flower in the mountains from May to August. They can be found in flower all year near to the coast. It is native to southern Europe, north Africa and western Asia. It has now naturalised on many continents.