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 March is accompanied by many spring flowers, the number of species rising throughout the month. Many can be seen adorning roadsides, pastures, arable field edges, mountainsides etc. Some of the larger bushes are obvious from a vehicle but other, smaller plants will remain hidden until you walk about if they are in singles, or are occasionally seen in swathes carpeting orchards.
YELLOW
Flowers and hairy new seed pod forming on Cytisus baeticus
Southwest broom (Cytisus baeticus)
This is a shrubby member of the broom family which grows to 4 metres tall but may be smaller due to grazing by goats. The flowers, set on short stalks, are a strong yellow and of a shape typical to the pea family, with non hairy sepals. The leaves are three lobed and on similar short stalks. Both flowers and leaves are attached in clusters, evenly distributed along the ridged, multitude of green branches. After the flowers, short, straight pods form which are densley covered in silvery hairs. In a sheltered area this plant may start flowering in January, but on higher ground in March and finishing in April. It can be seen in shady areas such as stream sides and on mountain slopes, often in cork woods. Found in South West Spain, Portugal and North Africa.
Left: Narcissus cuatrecasasii with close up of ridged leaf detail Right: Narcissus bulbocodium
Narcissus cuatrecasasii
This pretty narcissus can be told apart from similar flowers by the leaf shape. Although initially very similar to the Narcissus baeticus (see above) in flower shape and rock dwelling habitat, very close inspection of the leaf will show not a smooth curve but two ridged lines.
Hoop Petticoat Narcissus (Narcissus bulbocodium)
A miniature species, which may stand only just above the ground, but with a large and distinctive corona (central cup). The leaves are very fine and can trail up to 40cm.They can be found in seasonally damp, rich sandy soil, woodlands, fields, rocky areas where they may be growing in rock pockets and marsh land, from lowlands to mid-mountains in Iberia, S.W France and N. Africa.
The following two yellow narcissi are under scrutiny as the family is re-assesed. There are an incredible number of synonyms within the wild narcissi groups which can easily lead to confusion. Going on flower colour and shape alone is not enough, neither are the leaf shape and length, as subtle differences and hybridising occurrs, it is down to DNA testing. For now we shall keep these two separate as they grow in different habitats with different growth style, but we will update when the (latest) definitive answers are given!
Two images of Narcisus fernandesii
Narcissus fernandesii (Synonym Narcissus cordubensis)
A bright yellow narcissi that can grow to 40 cm tall and form dense swathes if undisturbed. The petals and central cup (corona) are of the same shade, the cup is flared and fluted. There are generally two flowers per stem ( occasionally 1 to 5) connected by a long tube. The leaves generally stand erect along with the flower stems, they are smoothly curved on one side and indented with a groove on the other. This is a scented flowers that is listed as vulnerable due to its patchy distribution. It grows well in fields that are undisturbed and that are flooded or very humid during the winter. As farmers drain their land and take machinery closer to field borders the habitat where these plants can flourish is gradually reduced. Found in South West Iberia.
Two images of Narcisus baeticus
Narcissus baeticus (Synonym Narcissus assoanus)
A strong yellow narcissus that flowers at around 25cm tall. The petals and central cup are of the same shade and strongly scented. The corona or central cup is short and straight sided with a smooth edge. There are between one to three flowers per stem connected by a long tube. The leaves are rounded on one side with a groove on the other, they are very lax. This bulbous plant can be seen growing directly from rock crevices and on cliff sides high up in the mountains.
WHITE
Left: flower and buds of Saxifraga granulata Right: leaf detail of the same
Meadow saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata)
This plant has a loose cluster of white flowers marked with fine red lines held above a reddish stalk (to 40cm in height). The leaves, stems and sepals are covered with glandular hairs. The leaves are almost round to kidney shaped set in a rosette at the base, they can be divided into 3 or 5 lobes. They can be seen growing on damp steep banks, old stone walls, woodland clearings. Widely distributed through Iberia, Europe and N. Africa.
Left: Retama monosperma Right: Allium triquetrum
Bridal Broom (Retama monosperma)
A frothy, weeping appearance is given when in full flower, made up of numerous individual white blooms covering the fine branches. Each individual typical pea type flower has a red calyx. This heavily scented shrub can reach 3 metres in height, with the drooping branches spreading to double that in width. Also known as Bridal Broom this plant has very few leaves that soon fall from the slender green stems. Its shape is recognisable throughout the year. Found in South Western Spain, Southern Portugal and Northern Morocco. Although this white flowering broom is more frequent in coastal dunes nearer to the Atlantic area, here it is planted to decorate the roadsides.
Three-cornered Leek (Allium triquetrum)
One-sided clusters of 5 to 15 hanging white flowers adorn this small plant. Each bell has pointed tips and a green midvein. It is due to the triangular scape (flower stem) that this leek has gained its common name. Many bulbs develop closely together forming a dense tuft of green leaves that are smooth on the upper side with a keel (central ridge) on the reverse. If bruised they have a distinctive onion type odour. They generally prefer damp areas such as stream sides, ditches and woodlands. Its distribution covers Iberia eastwards to Italy.
Left: Asphodel aestivus Right: Asphodelus albus
Common Asphodel (Asphodel aestivus)
The starry white flowers of this asphodel have a pinky brown stripe through the back of each tepal, especially noticeable when in bud. (Tepal describes both petals and sepals when they look equal). The flowering stem is around 1metre tall with many branches, but none longer than the central raceme. Each branch is covered in multiple flowers, behind each flower is a whitish papery bract. The leaves are grey / green, strap like and form a clump at the base. These plants are not palatable to animals and so can be seen in extensive groups in pasture areas. Also occurring on rocky slopes, waste ground, open pine forests and roadsides. Widespread in Southern Europe and North Africa.
White Asphodel (Asphodelus albus)
Very similar to the previous asphodel. The differences to look out for are that White asphodel usually has a single upright spike with only occasional short branches on the lower parts. The papery bracts are a conspicuous dark brown and it is more frequent at higher altitudes.
Left: Ornithogalum orthophyllum Right: Ornithogalum reverchonii
Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum orthophyllum)
This low growing plant holds a cluster of upwards facing, starry white flowers on a short scape. The tepals have a broad green stripe on the outer side. The long and tapered leaves form at ground level. Seen at roadsides, pastures, woodland clearings and rocky slopes. This subspecies, baeticum, is found in Southern Spain ranging along the Cordillera Bética mountains, crossing Andalucia from west to east.
Ornithogalum reverchonii
This is a protected species. Category VU. Vulnerable.
Elegant white, hanging bell shaped flowers adorn upright stems to 50cm tall. There may be up to 10 flowers per scape and where they are attached is covered by a papery brown bract. Four or five, long leaves extend from the base. This plant is endemic to the Grazalema / Ronda area and also Morocco. It grows off rock faces where the small bulbs settle into scarce soil pockets.
PURPLE / PINK
Left: Moricandia moricandioides Right: Centaurea pullata
Purple Wild Cabbage (Moricandia moricandiodes)
Many small purple (to pink) four petalled flowers with a darker centre decorate this branched, spindly plant. The leaves are grey / green and cabbage looking although small. It can grow to around one metre tall and become very obvious when grouped although it is often more scattered. It grows mainly in calcareous soils on roadside banks, field edges and uncultivated ground. Its distribution is central and southern Spain.
Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata)
Wide, soft pink (or occasionally white) 'thistle type' flowers top this leafy, low growing plant. The leaves and stems are covered in soft hairs. The flower bud is protected by green scales edged black and each scale is tipped with a fan shaped cluster of fine yellow spines. It can be found on grassy roadside banks, rough dry ground and rocky open areas from lowlands to mountains in Iberia and N. Africa.
GREEN
Left: Euphorbia characias Right: Helleborus foetidus
Large Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)
This Spurge stands to around 1 metre tall and can form a broad plant with its many stems. Bluish green bracts form cups around the flowers. The glands are a dark reddish brown and can be notched or have a pair of short horns. The leaves are a blue green, long, narrow and numerous from the base to just below the flowers. These stems are bent over at the tips just before the flowers open. They can be seen in scrubland, open woodland, and rocky habitats, widespread through much of the Mediterranean.
Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
Pale green bell shaped flowers hang down in clusters from this poisonous plant. Most flowers have a purple/brown decorative trim, they stand taller than the leafy parts. The dark green leaves are divided into 7 to 10 narrow leaflets. It can be found in damp and shady areas amongst woodland and scrub. This plant is common in Europe but more so away from the Mediterranean area.
ORCHIDS
Left: Orchis conica Right: Barlia robertiana
Conical orchid (Orchis conica)
This is a very small orchid, around 10 to 20cm tall. The individual tiny flowers are packed tightly together at the top of the flower scape. They are white to pale pink in colour with pink speckles and spots on the main three lobes. The 'hood' ends in distinctive pointed tips and may have green or red stripes on the inside, though at not much above ground level these can be difficult to see and the same applies to appreciating the fragrance. It may be found isolated or in small groups and is not at all common. They can be seen in open scrubland, woodland clearings and poor grazing, mostly appearing on limestone soils. Western Mediterranean area.
Giant orchid (Barlia robertiana)
This orchid flower head forms a dense cylindrical spike reaching to around 50cm tall. The individual flowers are a mixture of colours including pink, purple, violet and green with occasional white and green forms. The base leaves are large with the upper leaves being smaller and clasping the scape (flower stem) which can often be suffused in purple. Found scattered on grassy slopes, roadsides, amongst scrub and in light woodland. Distributed through the Iberia and much of the Mediterranean area excluding the east. One of the earliest orchids to flower in our area.
Featured flowers during January that are continuing into March: Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia), Paper-white Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus), Bean trefoil (Anagyris foetida), Intermediate Periwinkle (Vinca difformis) and Almond (Prunus dulcis).
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