Oxalis pes~caprae

Oxalis pes~caprae Bermuda buttercup

Agrios

This glorious plant has become an invasive weed in many countries, as can be seen on the bank above. It contains Oxalic acid, which in small doses was used to treat tapeworm and other worm infestations. In large quantities it can be extremely toxic and fatal, as it is quoted that many sheep died from gorging on this plant in Australia. It grows from small bulbs which multiply each year, like many Oxalis.

It is a native of South Africa and flowers from December to May, and can grow to a height of 30cms. The petals can be used as a yellow dye.

Arctotheca calendula

Arctotheca calendula Cape marigold

This marigold is found on coastal cliffs and sand dunes, and can be an invasive pest. It grows from 10~30cms tall and flowers from February to June.

It is native to Cape Province, South Africa, and has found its way to north Africa and SW Spain.

Limoniastrum monopetalum

Limoniastrum monopetalum 

Salado

This hermaphraditic shrub is found near salt water lagoons, also rocky areas and sandy loam.

It grows from 30cms to 2m tall and loves salty air and drought. It flowers from February to July. It is native to SW Spain, in the bay of Cadiz, North Africa to Egypt. I found it for the first time at Las Salinas, Bonanza, Cadiz province.

Ranunculus peltatus

Ranunculus peltatus Water's crowfoot

Hierba lagunera

This pretty buttercup is found in Europe, SW Asia, and North Africa. It grows from 1~8cm tall and spreads in  a pond. It flowers from January to June.

Cakile maritima

Cakile maritima European searocket

Oruga maritima

This little plant is found on beaches in many countries: the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean from Morocco to Finland, America and Australia. It grows from 7~40cms tall and can be in flower all year round. The seed pods can be seen easily on the first photograph.

Fedia cornucopiae

Fedia cornucopiae  Fedia

This lovely plant is native to the southern Iberian peninsula, and north west Africa. It covers fields, pastures and olive groves from February to May. It is quite small and its maximum height is 30cms. It can be mistaken for clover from a distance.

Scabiosa simplex

Scabiosa simplex Scabious

Scabiosa simplex or Lomelosia simplex

Scabiosa simplex or Lomelosia simplex

This annual is native to the Iberian peninsula and North Africa. It covers fields and pastures from May to July, and can grow from 10 to 30cms tall.

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.