Orchis langei

Orchis langei Lange's orchid, hipocromatic form

March to June

This one was taken at Sierra de las Nieves in late May 2009. I have been back since to try and find these 3 orchids (there were 3 in a group), but I have never seen them again. Hipocromatic means a white form, lack of pigment, in fact it is a form of anaemia in plants.

Ophrys bombiflora

Ophrys bombiflora Bumblebee orchid

This Orchid flowers from March to May and is native to the Mediterranean region. it can be very small but may also grow as tall as 25cms in shady places. The leaves and stems vary in colour from a yellow to a pale green. It is pollinated by the male of the Solitary bee.

Orchis italica

Orchis italica Naked man orchid

This showy orchid is a native of the Mediterranean Basin and can grow to an height of 50cms (20ins). It flowers from April to June, depending on the altitude it is found.

Lathyrus cicera

Lathyrus cicera Red pea

Galgana

It is very small, only 1~1.5cm and flowers from March to June. It is native to Europe, north Africa and the Middle East. This is one of the species of Lathyrus that can cause Lathyrism, a neurological condition if eaten in great quantities.

Limodorum trabutianum

Limodorum trabutianum Trabut's limodore

This rhizomatous orchid is native to the Mediterranean and west Asia. It is found in open woodlands of oak, pine or chestnut. It can grow to an height of 85cms and flowers from April to June. It is found in woodlands from sea level to 1,300 metres. It is self-pollinating.

Limodorum abortivum

Limodorum abortivum Violet Limodore

This rhizomatous orchid is often found growing alongside L. trabutianum in open woodlands. It can grow to an height of 1 metre and flowers from April to July. It is believed that it obtains its nutrition entirely on its relationship with fungi. It too is found in the Mediterranean, eastern and central Europe and west Asia.

Serapias lingua

Serapias lingua Tongue orchid

These unusal orchids are native to the Mediterranean and found on damp meadows from March to May. They grow to an height of 50cms though personally I have never seen one that tall. They are distinguished by the dark red spot at the back of the "throat". The flower is usually 2.5cm long and often there are 5-15 flowers on a stem.

Serapias parviflora

Serapias parviflora  Tongue orchid or Small-flowered Serapias

This Tongue orchid is slender and often found growing in groups in meadows or grassy slopes in the Mediterranean countries. It is generally a smaller species and flowers from March to May.

Dactylorhiza sulphurea

Dactylorhiza sulphurea Sulphur Orchid

April to May

I am told by a friend that these Orchids are now at their best today. 13.4.2013

Lactuca tenerrima

Lactuca tenerrima Blue lettuce

Lechuguilla

This pretty plant flowers from May to September and is native to the southern Iberian peninsula. The stems secrete a milky, white substance. It grows in rocky crags and fissures.

Chryanthemum coronarium/Glebionis coronaria

Chryanthemum coronarium/Glebionis coronaria  Crown daisy

Mirabeles

This wonderful daisy is native to the Mediterranean and East Asia flowers from March to June. It can grow to an height of 1m and the leaves are rich in minerals and vitamins. It is often used in Asian cuisine.

Narcissus triandus

Narcissus triandus Angel's tears

This lovely daffodil flowers from February to May and is native to SW Europe. It grows from 15-25cms tall. Photo taken near Andújar, Jaén province as this Narcissus is native to north~east of  the Iberian peninsula.

Narcissus papyraceus

Narcissus papyraceus  Paperwhite narcissus

Meado de zorro

This highly perfumed Daffodil flowers from December to April and grows from 30-50cms tall. It is a native of the Mediterranean, though it is widely cultivated in other countries for it's perfume.
The countryside in Spain is a joy when there are fields of this plant in bloom.

Narcissus cantabricus

Narcissus cantabricus White hooped petticoat daffodil

Narciso blanco

This tiny Daffodil flowers from February to April and grows from 5-15cms. It is native to south of the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco and Algeria.

Narcissus serotinus

Narcissus serotinus

Narciso de otoño
Flowers in the autumn, August to November and is native to the southern Mediterranean. It grows from 10-15cms. This plant is flowering now, so keep your eyes open. It is generally found on damp roadsides or damp meadows.

Narcissus cavanillesi

Narcissus cavanillesi

Flowers in the autumn, from September to November and are native to the southern Iberian peninsula and North Africa. They grow from 6-15cm tall. We saw fields of these yesterday. 10.10.2015

Narcissus bugei

Narcissus-bugei

This large Daffodil flowers from February to May and grows from 15-80cms tall. It is endemic to Andalucia and is in danger of extinction due to habitat loss. 
Photo taken at Sierra de las Nieves where there is a small population.

Sambucus ebulus

Sambucus ebulus Danewort or Dwarf Elder

Yezgo
It flowers from May to August and can grow between 1 and 2 metres tall. It is native to southern and central Europe and SW Asia. Folklore says that it grows in places where the Danes were slain, as it turns red in autumn, the colour of blood. It contains several anti-cancer substances and several studies are taking place on this plant. The berries appear from August. It is a highly toxic plant but had medicinal uses.

Acanthus mollis

Acanthus mollis Bear's breeches
Acanto
April to July
It grows out of rocky crevices in the lower mountains. This plant has seeded itself all over my garden and obviously loves the conditions here. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and was one of the first species to be cultivated.

Opuntia ficus indica

Opuntia ficus indica Prickly pear

Chumbera

This cactus flowers from April to July and produces the fruits from August to October. They taste very good, but an expert has to peel them as the tiny spines will be in your fingers for days. It is believed that this plant was native to central Mexico, but has spread to the Mediterranean by carrying the fruits by ship to prevent scurvy. At the moment many of these plants are dying in Andalusia due to infestation by the Cochineal beetle. The plants are covered in a fine white powder, and gradually die unfortunately.