Paeonia coriacea

Paeonia coriacea Paeony

Rosa maldita (which means Damn Rose!)

This beautiful plant flowers from April to June in rocky, calcareous soils, sometimes in shady woodland, other times in the open. It grows from 40~60cms tall and can be found at an altitude of 1,200~2,000m. It is native to the southern Iberian pennisula and the Rif and Atlas mountains of Morocco. The fruit is formed in two glabrous follicles as shown. It has pale, less bright green leaves and the stems are paler than Paeonia broteroi. I hope that I have identified it correctly.

Paeonia broteroi

Paeonia broteroi  Paeony

Peonia

This beautiful plant is endemic to Spain and Portugal and flowers from April to June. It has red stems, which differ from Paeonia coriacea, and also it usually has 4 or 5 seed heads. It is found in shady forests of Oaks and grows from 40~70cms tall.

Malva sylvestris

Malva sylvestris Common mallow

Malva silvestre

This perennial shrub is found all over many continents. It flowers from April to September and can grow to 1 metre tall.

Centaurea castellaniodes ssp arundana

Centaurea castellaniodes ssp arundana

This Knapweed was photographed in Sierra de las Nieves in July. It has been identified by a Spanish botanist, but I cannot find out much about it. There are at least 25 different species of Centaurea in the area. This one is endemic to the mountains.

Centaurea clementei

Centaurea clementei

This perennial Knapweed has yellow flowers, which I had just missed as it was going to seed. It flowers from April to June and grows from 30~60cms tall on limestone cliffs, from 700~1,200m altitude. It is native to southern Spain and North Africa. This photograph was taken in Sierra de las Nieves. 

Narcissus baeticus or N. assoanus

Narcissus baeticus

Narciso andaluz

This narcissus is endemic to Andalucia and flowers from January~April. It is tiny and never grows taller than 30cms. Each plant has between 1~4 flowers per stem.

I found the last two photographs of this tiny Narcissus flowering today. 15.1.2016. This is the earliest I have ever found them.

Lamium amplexicaule

Lamium amplexicaule Henbit dead nettle

Gallitos

This Lamium was probably native to the Mediterranean originally, but is now found on many continents. It grows from 8~25cms tall and can be found in flower from February to October.

Teucrium fruticans

Teucrium fruticans Tree germander

Olivilla

This shrub is native to western and central Spain. It can grow from 50~1.50cms tall and is often found cultivated in gardens. It flowers from March to June.

Thymus mastichina

Thymus mastichina Mastic thyme

Almoradux

This thyme is endemic to the southern Iberian peninsula. It grows from 20~50cms tall and the leaves give off an eucalyptus type aroma. An essential oil can be made from this plant, called Oil of Marjoram. The leaves can be used fresh at any time in cooking.

Verbascum sinuatum

 Verbascum sinuatum  Wavy  mullien

Gordolobo

This pretty Mullein can smother pastures and hillsides from May to August. It is native to Europe and Asia and can grow from 0.5~3m tall. It can be either biennial or perennial depending on the climate.

Verbascum thapsis

Verbascum thapsis Great mullien

Gordolobo

This Mullien is native to all of Europe, North Africa and Asia. It flowers from May to August and can grow to 2m tall. It is a biennial, flowering alternate years. I hope that I have identified  it correctly as there are so many different species.

Ajuga iva ssp iva

Ajuga iva ssp iva Southern bugle

Pinillo almisclado

This perennial flowers from March to December and grows from 5~18cms. I found lots flowering yesterday, only about 5cms tall on 9.11.2014. It is native to the Mediterranean.

Scrophularia canina

Scrophularia canina  Dog figwort

Escrofularia menor

This plant is found in the whole of the Mediterranean, apart from Cyprus, and grows from 30-80cms tall. It flowers from April to July and is found on rocky crags, hills and mountains. The flowers are very small, only 4-5mm in length.

Scrophularia sambucifolia

Scrophularia sambucifolia  Figwort

Escrofularia o Hierba vaquera

This perennial can grow up to a metre tall and flowers from March to May. It is native to the southwest Iberian peninsula where it grows in damp places. The flowers are approx. 12-22mms in size.

Galium viridiflorum

Galium viridiflorum Bedstraw

This beauty was photographed at Grazalema. It flowers from May to July and grows to about 1m tall. It is native to southern Spain, especially the provinces of Malaga and Granada. It like damp roadsides where it flowers abundantly in certain places.

Armeria villosa ssp longiaristata

Armeria villosa ssp longiaristata  Armeria

This lovely plant flowers from May to July and grows from 20-60cms tall. It is native to south of the Iberian Peninsula.

Dipsacus fullonum

Dipsacus fullonum Common or Fuller's teasel

Cardo cardador

This thistle is native to Eurasia and North Africa but is now found worldwide. It is a herbaceous biennial and dies after seeding. The seeds are a great source of winter food for the European Goldfinch. It was used in the textile industry and useful for raising the nap on fabrics. It grows from 50cms to 2m tall and flowers (pale purple to white) from May to September.

Rubia peregrina

Rubia peregrina Wild madder

Raspalenguas

This madder is native to the Mediterranean, Great Britain and North Africa. It can grow to 2.5m and is seen here scrambling over Abies pinsapo. The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects. It flowers from April to July.

Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima  Tree of Heaven

Ailanto

This large, deciduous tree, native to China and Taiwan grows rapidly. It can grow 15m in 25 years and can reach a height of  20 metres. It is not long lived and usually dies before 50 years but leaves behind many new trees produced by suckers. It has become a pest in many countries.  It flowers in May and June. It has a foul smell and has become unpopular in gardens.

Ruta montana

Ruta montana  Mountain rue

Ruda de la montana

This Rue flowers from June to September and grows from 25 to 75cms tall. It is found in the south of the Iberian Pennisula, NW Africa and eastwards to Turkey. It is strongly aromatic but poisonous. Pregnant women have to take great care as the strong chemicals it contains can cause abortion. The sap can cause dermatitis and blistering of the skin. It is loved by some insects.