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.

Asteriscus maritimus

Asteriscus maritimus Sea daisy

Margarita de mar

This lovely daisy grows in rocky, scree areas up to 500 metres and is native to the Canaries, Greece and coastal, southern Iberia. It flowers from January to August and can spread to 45cms but is low growing generally.

Achillea odorata

Achillea odorata Yarrow

Milenrama

This plant flowers in June and July and is native to the west Mediterranean countries and Morocco. It can grow from 10-25cms.

Ornithogalum orthophyllum ssp baeticum

Ornithogalum orthophyllum ssp baeticum Star of Bethlehem

Leche de pájaro

This beautiful brilliant white plant grows from 8-15cms and flowers from April to June.

Aristolochia baetica

Aristolochia baetica Andalusian Dutchman's pipe

This poisonous vine (a Birthwort) produces these magnificent "pipes" from November to May and can grow up to 4 metres. It is native to the south of the Iberian peninsula and north Africa.

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.

Vinca difformis

Vinca difformis  Intermediate Periwinkle

Alcandorea

This plant is usually mauve and is native to western Europe. It scrambles over banks forming large swathes flowering from January to June.

Chaenorhinum villosum ssp villosum

Chaenorhinum villosum ssp villosum Cliffhanger

Espuelilla

This beautiful rock plant flowers from March to July and grows in limestone crevices in southern Spain and north-west Africa. It grows from 10-20cms.

Agave americana

Agave americana Century plant

Pita

This enormous plant flowers from May to August and after flowering the mother plant dies. Underneath this plant and around it will be many small suckers which will grow. It lives for approximately 10-30 years, not a century as it's name suggests. The leaves can grow to 2metres, and the yellow flowers can grow as much as 8 metres. The leaves are so strong and are very dangerous as they can even pierce bone. The plant originated in Mexico but is now naturalised in Spain and other countries.

Merendera filifolia

Merendera filifolia Merendera

Azafrán borde

This beautiful autumn flower grows from 5-10cm tall and is usually found at an altitude of between 400~700m. It flowers in October and November and is found in the west Mediterranean.

Bupleurum spinosum

Bupleurum spinosum

Pendejo

This strange plant grows in Spain and Morocco and can be found anywhere from sea-level to mountains. It grows about 10-30cms and flowers in August and September.

Bupleurum foliosum

Bupleurum foliosum

Cuchilleja

This sub-shrub is native to southern Spain and Morocco and grows to a height of 100cm. It flowers from June to August, and bears fruit from September to November. Photo taken in the Genal valley.

Cephalaria leucantha

Cephalaria leucantha White scabious

Escabiosa blanca

This Mediterranean plant flowers from July to October and grows from 15-40cm tall. It is often hidden away amongst dying foliage of other plants at this time of year.

Dittrichia viscosa

Dittrichia viscosa Sticky or Yellow fleabane

Sometimes called Inula viscosa

Altabaca

It flowers from August to November and originates from the Mediterranean. It is said that the grapes are ripe when the Sticky fleabane flowers. It grows from 50cm-1.5m and is an important  food plant for some species of butterfly and moths. It is very common on verges and roadsides in late summer/autumn. This plant is just beginning to flower again now, 25.08.2014 to brighten up the golden fields of summer. It is later this year, only in full flower from 23.9.2016.

Marrubium vulgare

Marrubium vulgare White horehound

Marrubio blanco

This horehound grows between 25-45cms tall and flowers from April to October. It is native to Europe, Africa and Asia.

Origanum virens

Origanum virens  Wild marjoram

Orégano

This wild herb flowers from July to October and grows 15-25cms tall. It is a native of the Mediterranean and this photograph was taken at Sierra de las Nieves at approx. 1,300m.

Daphne laureola

Daphne laureola Spurge laurel Daphne

Laureola

This highly poisonous plant can grow 1-1.5m and flowers from March to May. It is native to much of Europe and North Africa. There are poisonous black berries present in the autumn.

Daphne gnidium

Daphne gnidium Flax-leaved daphne

Matapoll

This Daphne flowers from July to October and can grow to more than 1metre tall and wide. It is native to countries surrounding the Mediterranean and is highly poisonous. Skin contact with the sap can cause Dermatitis, and ingestion of the plant or berries could in extreme allergic reactions cause death.

Rhaponticum coniferum

Rhaponticum coniferum 

Cuchara de pastor

This plant is found all over southern Europe and North Africa  and can grow to a height of 30cms. It is frequently found in pine forests. It was formerly called Leuzia conifera. It flowers from May to July.

Centaurea calcitrapa

Centaurea calcitrapa Red star thistle

Cardo estrellado

It was originally native to Europe and grows from  30-1.30m and flowers from April to October. It is a magnet for several species of butterfly in the summer months as you can see here. The spikes or thorns are quite lethal.