Thursday, 16 July 2015

Delphinium gracile

Delphinium gracile Annual delphinium

Espuela

This delicate plant flowers from April to September and can grow to an height of 40cms. It is native to the Iberian peninsula.

Sunday, 5 July 2015

Iberis fontqueri

Iberis fontqueri Candytuft

This Candytuft is an endemic to the Sierras of Málaga. and is classed as Vulnerable on the Red Plant List of Andalucía. It grows from 10~20cms tall and is found at an altitude of between 600~1100m.  I found it in Sierra de las Nieves.

Cerastium gibraltaricum

Cerastium gibraltaricum Chickweed

Cerastio de Gibraltar

This "Snow in summer" plant is an endemic to west of Cádiz and Málaga provinces, and found in Gibraltar too. It can grow to a height of 30cms and flowers from May to July. It has silvery leaves and seems to thrive in drought.

Friday, 3 July 2015

Silene andryafolia

Silene andryafolia Mountain catchfly

This unusual Catchfly is an endemic to the mountains of Andalucia, where it can grow to 40cms. It is found at an altitude of 800~1,500m.  It is found growing out of limestone rocks and flowers in May and June.

Silene colorata

Silene colorata

Silene gallica

Silene gallica Small~flowered catchfly

This beautiful little plant can grow to a height of  30cms and flowers from February to May. It has largely become extinct in the UK unfortunately, apart from the SW. It is mainly found in southern Europe now. The leaves are very sticky and attract flies.

Lonicera implexa

Lonicera implexa Evergreen honeysuckle

Madreselva

This honeysuckle is native to southern Europe, especially Spain and can tolerate drought. It is found in woodlands, or on the edge. it can grow to 3 metres and flowers from April to June.

Lonicera periclymenum ssp hispanica

Lonicera periclymenum ssp hispanica Spanish honeysuckle

Madreselva

This honeysuckle is found in southern and central of the Iberian pennisula, also NW Africa. It is found in shady places, oak woodlands etc. It can scramble for 4 metres and flowers from June to August.



Capparis spinosa

Capparis spinosa Caper

Alcaparro

This Caper is native to the Mediterranean, East Africa and Madagascar.  It is widely used for the berries which are often pickled and used as seasoning. It is often used in the production of medicines and cosmetics. It is often found growing in rocks and on verges. It flowers from June to September.

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.