Glossopappus macrotus

 Glossopappus macrotus

This pretty yellow daisy like flower is native to the Mediterranean and flowers from April to July. It grows from 20-60cm tall. It is one of many similar plants in southern Spain.

Crepis albida

Crepis albida

This species I found at Sierra de las Nieves, it can grow 20-30cms tall and lives among rocks and stones. It is native to the Iberian Peninsula, France and Italy.

Echinops spinosissimus

Echinops spinosissimus Spiny Globe thistle

This Echinops was not found in Andalusia,  in fact it is native to eastern Europe, north Africa and SW to Asia. This one we found in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. It can grow to 2 ft (80cms) tall and spreads to 3ft. As it's name suggests it is very thorny and flowers late summer/autumn. I thought it was worth including on here.

Chamaemelum fuscatum,

Chamaemelum fuscatum, Dark Chamomile

Manzanilla silvestre

I have been given the correct identification for this plant by a Botanist. Thanks for the correction. It starts flowering in southern Spain in January and is present in the whole of Europe, North Africa and west Asia. It grows to an height of 10-30cms. and is an annual plant reseeding itself every year.

Cynara baetica ssp baetica

Cynara baetica ssp baetica 

Alcachofa blanca

At last, after years of looking I have found this Andaluz endemic, classed as Vulnerable in the Red List of Andalusia. It flowers from June to August and it grows to an height of 80cms. It grows at an altitude of 800-1,600m.  it is found on grassy pastures in the mountains of Andalusia.

Volutaria muricata

Volutaria muricata Morocco Knapweed

I found this new Knapweed near to Málaga airport. It is native of southern Spain and Morocco. The flowers are 2-3ins across (5-7.5cms) and it can grown to an height of 70 cms. It is an annual and flowers from March to June.

Filago lusitanica

Filago lusitanica  Cudweed

This unusual small plant grows low to the ground and can grow from 2-5cms. It flowers from February to May and is native to the Sierras of Spain, SE Portugal and NE Africa. Its common name "Cudweed" comes from the fact that it was once fed to cows that had lost their ability to chew; hence, chewing the cud.

Cotula coronopifolia

Cotula coronopifolia  Buttonweed

This South African flower has naturalised along the Atlantic coast of Spain. Photo taken at Barbate. It thrives in muddy sites, marshes and lagoons. It grows from 5-30cms tall and flowers from May to August, though this was flowering in March.

Calendula aegyptiaca

Calendula aegyptiaca Egyptian marigold

This tiny marigold can grow to an height of 10cms and is found in southern Soain, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It flowers from December to May and is found on arid pastures.

Limbarda crithmoides

Limbarda crithmoides Golden samphire

Salvio

This plant was originally called Inula crithmoides and is a coastal, perennial, plant found on salt marshes or sea cliffs and can grow to a metre in height. The flowers are self-pollinating and the young leaves, rich in iodine, can be used as a vegetable. They can be eaten raw or cooked. It flowers from May to December. It is native to western and southern Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Conyza sumatrensis

Conyza sumatrensis Guernsey fleabane

Coniza

This weed is very abundant here from May to October and is probably native to South America. It grows from 50cms to 2 metres tall and seeds itself freely and is now worldwide.

Bellis sylvestris

Bellis sylvestris Southern Daisy

Margarita

This southern daisy is native to central and southern Europe and can grow to an height of 6 ins, 10~15cms. It is abundant in many areas and is winter flowering, from November to April. It has a creeping rhizome and the basal leaves form rosettes. It is found in meadows and shady grassy verges.

Achillea odorata

Achillea odorata Achillea

Milenrama

This pretty plant only flowers in June and July and is native to the SW Mediterranean, including Morocco and Algeria. It grows up to 30cms tall and has finely toothed leaves.

Tanacetum annuum

Tanacetum annuum Blue Tansy

This herb is native to the western Mediterranean and Morocco. It flowers from September to possibly February and can grow to an height of 60cms. It is extremely poisonous if ingested, but is used in Essential Oils for a number of medicinal purposes.

Carlina corymbosa ssp hispanica

Carlina corymbosa ssp hispanica

Cardo cuco

This lovely perennial thistle flowers from July to September and is a native to southern Europe, North Africa and SW Asia. It grows from 20~60cms tall and is extremely prickly. It can grow up to an altitude of 1,600m. Sinonym: Carlina hispanica

Senecio jacobaea

Senecio jacobaea Ragwort

Hierba de Santiago

Ragwort was originally native to the whole of Eurasia but has now spread to several continents. It flowers from June to October and can grow to a height of 80cms. It can be biennial or perennial. In the UK it is a food source for 77 species of insects, plus another 22 species that use it as part of their diet. Another 117 species use it as a nectar source whilst they are travelling.

Ragwort also contains many different alkaloids which make it poisonous to horses, goats and pigs. Horses tend to avoid it when it is fresh as it is too bitter for their taste. It is a danger when it is included in hay and can cause irreversible cirrhosis of the liver. Goats and pigs can suffer the same but at a much slower rate than horses.

Humans with sensitive skin can react to it with dermatitis. An excellent plant for insects, but not so good for larger animals unfortunately.

Bombicilaena discolor

Bombicilaena discolor

This unusual plant grows from 5~15cms tall and is native to southern Europe, North Africa and SW Asia. It likes loamy soils and prefers a high altitude. It is an Hermaphrodite and flowers from April to June. As far as I can find out, these are the actual flowers.

Carlina racemosa

Carlina racemosa

Cardo lechero

This annual prickly thistle is native to the Iberian peninsula and brightens up the dry grass in from June to November. It is small usually, but can grow from 5 to 50cms tall. Photo taken in August.

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.

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.