Linaria vulgaris

Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax

This common plant is native to Europe, north Asia, west to China and east to Siberia. It has now been introduced to North America. It can grow to an height of 35ins (90mm) and flowers in the spring/summer, depending on it's habitat.

Legousia falcata

Legousia falcata 

This is a new plant for me, found in the Grazalema area in June. I can find very little information on it. It grows from 15-50cms tall and flowers from April to June. Apologies for the poor photograph of the leaves.

Ricinus communis

Ricinus communis Castor oil plant

Ricino

This attractive plant can grow as high as 5 metres tall. It was native to SE Mediterranean,  East Africa and India but has now naturalised in many warm climates. It had largish, glossy green leaves, often tinged red and flowers from April to September. It can cause severe allergies, especially Asthma and also allergic reactions to anyone allergic to Ricinus could develop skin rashes. The fruit, bean-like structures are highly poisonous and could cause death in large quantities. Castor oil is a lubricant for motors.

Parentucellia latifolius

Parentucellia latifolius  Red Bartsia

Algarabía

This small plant is native to Europe, but has now been introduced to other continents. It flowers from April to June and can grow from 5-20cms tall. The leaves are very hairy. I can't fins any references to it being a parasitic plant.

Cydonia oblonga

Cydonia oblonga  Quince

Membrillo

This 2-4 metre tall shrub originated in SW Asia, Turkey and north Iran to Afghanistan, but is now naturalised in Spain.  The large Quince fruits are very popular in cooking, making jams, and lots of other different foodstuffs including desserts. It is cultivated in many countries. It flowers from March to May. It is hardy and drought tolerant but needs hot summers to ripen the fruit.

Linaria viscosa

Linaria viscosa Toadflax

This pretty Toadflax is endemic to the SW of Spain. It was found at El Rocio, Huelva province, on 2.4.2018. It can grow to an height of 60cms and prefers sandy, dry soil. It flowers from April to June. There is some discussion going on about this Linaria, so I can't be 100% sure it is the correct name.

Ornithopus sativus ssp isthmorcarpus

Ornithopus sativus ssp isthmorcarpus Common Bird's foot

This pretty little plant spreads from 10-60cms along the ground on sandy soil. It is native to southern Iberia and north Africa. It flowers from March to April. Photographed at El Rocio, province of Huelva, Doñana.

Corrigiola litoralis

Corrigiola litoralis Strapwort

A new species for me found in El Rocio, Coto de Doñana, and it is native to Europe, the Mediterranean and Africa. It has been introduced to Australia and north America. This delicate little plant spreads from 10-30cm and flowers from March to June, on the edges of water.

Ruta angustifolia

Ruta angustifolia Narrow-leaved Rue

Ruda 

I believe I am correct in the identification. This sub-shrub can grow from 20-80cms tall and is native to the Mediterranean and SW Asia. It can be used as an insect repellent and anti-spasmodic. It must not be applied to the skin during sunlight hours as the oils may cause blistering. if used medicinally.  The leaves have a grey-blue tinge and it flowers from April to July.

Tuberaria macrosepala

Tuberaria macrosepala Annual Sunrose

I had mistakenly thought that this was another species of Tuberaria and did not take any macro photos. It is native to SW Iberia and north Africa and flowers from April to June. The photograph was taken at Doñana Parque Natural. It thrives on sandy, acid soils and grows to an height of 5-35cms. 

Mercurialis annua

Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury

This annual herb grows from 10-70cm tall and is found in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East but is now found on several continents due to introduction. It has a difficult sexuality and is popular for sientific study. The male flowers are spiked in a cluster from the leaf axils and the female flowers are at the base of the leaf axils. It flowers from March to May, The fruit is a bristly capsule.

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.

A friend suggested that I update my blog by posting photographs of what is actually in flower at the time on my visits to Spain. At the moment we are experiencing a cold spell with snow on the mountains above 700m. I believe that for the past three weeks it has been very sunny and mild but now there has been a few rainy days to start filling the much depleted reservoirs. There is actually some lush green grass in places too with olive groves completely yellow with carpets of the Field marigold. The drought was becoming very serious but in this part of Spain things are beginning to improve slightly. In flower at the moment are the lovely deep blue Iris planifolia, Broad leaved Iris and the Field marigold Calendula arvensis. We are hoping to go looking for Narcissus papyraceus, Paperwhite Narcissus and Himantoglossum  robertianum, Giant orchid one day soon. 

Cynoglossum clandestinum

Cynoglossum clandestinum  Hound's Tongue

This plant is unusual because the flower buds never open. They remain closed and are covered in many hairs. It can grow from 30-50cms tall and flowers from February to May. I hope that I have identified it correctly.

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.

Silene for id

Silene for id Campion

This tiny Silene is found growing in one specific area of Grazalema. I have been unable to identify it for two years and no one seems to know what it is. The flower was very tiny, approx. 10mm but it was on a long stem at 25-30cms. It is found growing near Pinsapo trees and amongst Cistus albidus. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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.

Convolvulus tricolor

Convolvulus tricolor Dwarf Morning Glory

This beautiful Convolvulus is native to the Mediterranean Basin and flowers from March to May. It can spread to 1 metre and is found in southern Spain near to the coast.

Cachrys sicula

Cachrys sicula 

This unusual perennial herb is native to the Iberian Peninsula and grows from an height of 30cm-1.50m. It flowers from April to June and is very striking when seen in swathes on hillsides. The umbels compose of 8-15 spokes.