February in Grazalema– Plants of the month are always a welcome sight, especially through the winter months, as coupled with the birds beginning to sing they show us that spring is near. Almond trees in blossom are the most noticeable in shades of pink and white, along with the Paperwhite narcissus, Branched asphodels and Broad-leaved iris as each can create swathes of colour across pastures. The much smaller flowered Andaluz storksbill and field marigolds also cover  large areas in pink and golden yellow.

Narcissus baeticus (Also known as Narcissus assoanus subsp. praelongus) A small and scented yellow narcissus with up to five flowers per stem held on long, sometimes curved, tube. They are found in small clusters or scattered in an open colony. The leaves are grooved on the upper side, rounded beneath and lax in habit. This bulbous plant grows in rocky limestone grasslands, dry pastures, in mountainous areas. Distribution; endemic to Andalucia in the Baetic mountain range.

Giant orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum)
This is the earliest orchid to flower in our area, it earns its name by reaching 50cm in height. The overall flower colour is pink – purple, with occasional white – green forms. The basal rosette is made of large dark green leaves, the finer upper leaves clasp the scape (flower stem). Found scattered on grassy slopes, roadsides, amongst scrub and in light woodland. Distribution; much of the Mediterranean area, excluding the east. (Previously Barlia robertiana)

Branched Asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus)
The white flowers have a pinkish – brown stripe through the back of each tepal, most 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, each backed by a whitish papery bract. The leaves are grey / green, strap like and form a dense clump at the base. As they are not palatable to animals, pastures can be over taken by them. Found on rocky slopes, waste ground, open pine forests and roadsides. Distribution; Mediterranean Region.

Sombre bee orchid (Ophrys fusca)
This is the earliest of the Ophrys group of orchids here. Individuals are not easy to spot due to their dull colours blending well into the landscape, but it can form large colonies. The flower spike holds between 3 to 10 flowers, the sepals are generally green, concave, oblong to oval, the petals are shorter, green/yellow and narrow. The lip is tri-lobed, the central lobe is the largest and notched at the base; the smooth upper area has a blue/grey pattern like insect wings, the lower area is a reddish brown and covered in velvety hairs like a bee. Some have a yellow outer trim, and there are many variants. Found scattered on grassy slopes, roadsides, amongst scrub and in light woodland. General distribution of Ophrys fusca is the Mediterranean Region, with many isolated subspecies.

Friars Cowl (Arisarum simorrhinum)
The heart shaped leaves sit close to the ground in a patch or clump, hiding within is the unusual inflorescence. The brown and white spathe is an upright tube, curled over at the top with a bulbous tipped spadix in the mouth. It can be found in stony areas and in rock crevices. Distribution; South and east Spain, NW Africa

Andaluz Storksbill (Erodium primulaceum)
A multitude of these plants can cover the ground creating a pink carpet. Recognised by the five pink petals which are uneven in size; the two shorter, upper petals usually have a dark purple mark at the base. The leaves are finely pinnate. It is most frequently seen creating a matt at ground level, but occasionally growing to 50cm -if competing with grasses. Open ground, uncultivated areas. Distribution; Southern Spain, NW Africa.

Some of the local plants in flower during February

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Violet cabbage (Moricandia moricandiodes)
• Bean trefoil (Anagyris foetida)
• Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia baetica)
• Hoop petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium)
• Western gorse (Ulex parviflorus)
• Narcissus cerrolazae, previously N. fernandesii
• Common daisy (Bellis sylvestris)
• Marsh chamomile (Chamaemelum fuscatum)
• Field marigold (Calendula arvensis)
• Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae)
• Fedia (Fedia cornucopiae)
• Common mallow (Malva sylvestris)
• Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola)
• Intermediate periwinkle (Vinca difformis)
• Tree germander (Teucrium fruticans)
• Southern knapweed (Centaurea pullata)
• Romulea (Romulea bulbocodium)
• Pink catchfly (Silene colorata)
• Shepherds purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

The Grazalema Guide

Even though its still winter, February wildlife in the Sierra de Grazalema is well worth looking out for. Resident birds will be actively looking for a mate, or existing pairs renovating old nest sites. The latter includes the protected Bonelli’s eagle which can give an amazing aerial display while warding off any large birds which stray into their territory. Read more over at the Grazalema Guide: https://grazalemaguide.com/blog/february-wildlife-in-the-sierra-de-grazalema/

There will be a marked difference between the first and second parts of this month as plants succumb to the heat and set their seeds. Areas that have held high moisture levels during the winter and spring will now come into their own with ribbons of bright pink Oleanders mapping the watercourses with Penny Royal and Apple Mint accompanying them. Climbing higher, aromatic herbs tucked into rock crevices in the mountains will be attracting bees and butterflies with their nectar rich blooms. Here are a few July flowers in the Sierra de Grazalema

Wooly Lavender (Lavandula lanata)
A shrubby lavender species found high in the limestone mountains. The pale woolly hairs on its leaves protect it from weather extremes with frosts and possible snow in winter and harsh summer droughts. The deep violet flowers are borne on spikes which grow well above the leafy part of the plant. Distribution: Southern Spain, and cultivated for garden use elsewhere.

July flowers in the Sierra de Grazalema

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
This is a tall, decorative plant often seen at roadsides and on rough ground. It culminates in a spreading umbel of tiny white flowers and always has a dark red centre. It might reach1.5 m but is very variable in height as well as flower size. This is a wild version of carrot from which our modern cultivars were derived. The root is edible when young. The umbel closes as the plant goes to seed, creating a natural cage. Distribution: Europe and SW Asia and naturalised elsewhere.

Yellow Flax (Linum tenue)
This is a delicate plant which can grow to around 80cm in height if amongst other plants. The stems are extremely fine and often branched. The small bright yellow flowers of 5 petals are held at the tips. They may be widespread at roadsides, in pastures or on mountainsides, although never very noticeable due to their size. Distribution: Iberia and North Africa

Cynara baetica
This is an attractive thistle which is silvery white in all parts (to 80 cm tall). It can be branched at the top, having several broad white flower heads with showy, strong and slightly curved spikes beneath. The basal leaves and those on the stem are all finely cut. Found in pastures, roadsides and woodland clearings. Distribution: Endemic to Southern Spain

Eryngium aquifolium
A low growing plant of the “sea holly” family which can reach around 40cm in height, though often less. It can create a decorative ground cover with its silvery green leaves and pale blue flowers – which attract butterflies. The leaves are slightly similar to holly in their dentate and prickly edges. The long bracts beneath each flower head are covered in spines, these and the branched flowering stems are often the same blue shade as the flowers. Found on dry, sunny slopes. Distribution: Southern Spain and N Africa.

Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro)
An upright, branched thistle to 60 cm, with fine silvery foliage and an almost white flowering stem. The flower head is composed of many blue florets and is easily identified by its spherical shape. Grows at roadsides and in pastures, sometimes covering large areas. Distribution: Southern central and south-eastern Europe, western Asia

YELLOW

• Spanish Oyster Thistle (Scolymus hispanicus)
• Shrubby Hare’s Ears (Bupleurum fruticosum)
• Golden Stoechas (Helichrysum stoechas)
• Pale Stonecrop (Sedum sediforme)
• Common Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Yellow Flax (Linum tenue)
• Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
• Sweet Yarrow (Achillea ageratum)

BLUE/PINK/PURPLE

• Large Blue Thistle
• Conehead Thyme (Coridothymus capitatus)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Sedum brevifolium
• Throatwort (Trachelium caearulum )
• Eryngium aquifolium
• Putoria (Putoria calabrica)
• Blue Lettuce (Lactuca tenerrima)
• Wooly Lavender (Lavandula lanata)
• Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
• Verbena (Verbena officinalis)
• Dianthus broteri
• Dianthus lusitanus
• Delphinium gracile
• Delphinium pentagynum
• Hairy willow herb (Epilobium hirsutum)
• Purple Starthistle (Centaurea calcitrapa)

WHITE

• Cirsum baetica
• Fragrant Clematis (Clematis flammula)
• Travelers’ Joy (Clematis vitalba)
• Sedum album
• Toothpickweed (Ammi visnaga)
• Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
• Origanum (Origanum virens)
• Thymus baetica
• Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens)
• European Heliotrope (Heliotropium europaeum)

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