Wild flowers
Extremadura is a paradise of flowers. Depending on the weather — the rainfall and the sunshine — flowers can start as early as January and bloom as late as July. It is not unusual to walk here in April and the meadows are carpeted in colour while the hedgerows are hung with vibrant vegetation.
The following photographs have all been taken by me, mainly in the Sierra de Montánchez where I most often walk but also in the northern sierras.
Photographs are arranged alphabetically and in columns going down as it is the easiest way for me to add flowers.
The columns are in colour order: 1. white; 2. yellow-orange; 3. pink; and 4. blue, purple, red, brown and green (mixed up but in alphabetical order).
The photographs are captioned in Latin with English but other enthusiasts will need to look up the names in their own language.
I have used the following books to help me identify the flowers. If you think anything is not correct please e-mail and I will check my information.
'A Selection of Wildflowers of Southern Spain' Betty Molesworth Allen
'Common Wildflowers of Spain' Austen F Colwell
'Flowers of Europe. A Field Guide' Oleg Polunin
Click on each photo for an enlarged view.
Extremadura is a paradise of flowers. Depending on the weather — the rainfall and the sunshine — flowers can start as early as January and bloom as late as July. It is not unusual to walk here in April and the meadows are carpeted in colour while the hedgerows are hung with vibrant vegetation.
The following photographs have all been taken by me, mainly in the Sierra de Montánchez where I most often walk but also in the northern sierras.
Photographs are arranged alphabetically and in columns going down as it is the easiest way for me to add flowers.
The columns are in colour order: 1. white; 2. yellow-orange; 3. pink; and 4. blue, purple, red, brown and green (mixed up but in alphabetical order).
The photographs are captioned in Latin with English but other enthusiasts will need to look up the names in their own language.
I have used the following books to help me identify the flowers. If you think anything is not correct please e-mail and I will check my information.
'A Selection of Wildflowers of Southern Spain' Betty Molesworth Allen
'Common Wildflowers of Spain' Austen F Colwell
'Flowers of Europe. A Field Guide' Oleg Polunin
Click on each photo for an enlarged view.
Allium Nigrum • Giant Onion
Allium Ursinum • Ramsons
Anthriscus Sylvestris • Cow Parsley
Antirrhinum Meonanthum • Snapdragon
Arenaria Tetraquetra • Mountain Sandwort
Asparagus • Asparagus
Asphodelus Aestivus • Asphodel
Bellardia Trixago • Bellardia
Bellis Perennis • Daisy
Briza Maxima • Quaking Oat Grass
Bryonia Cretica • White Bryony
Calystegia Sepium • Hedge Bindweed
Cistus Ladanifer • Gum Rockrose
Cistus Populifolius • Poplar-leaved Cistus
Cistus Salvifolius • Sage-Leaved Rockrose
Cytisus Albus • Broom Albus
Daphne Gnidium • Mediterranean Daphne
Daucus Carota • Wild Carrot
Eriophorum Vaginatum • Hare's-Tail Cottongrass
Fumaria Capreolata • White Ramping Fumitory
Genista Monosperma • Bridal Veil Broom
Heliotropium Europaeum • European Heliotrope
Iberis Crenata • Candytuft
Lathyrus • Sweet Pea (Family)
Lupinus Microcarpus • Chick Lupine
Montia Sibirica • Purslane (maybe)
Olea • Olive
Ornithogalum Umbellatum • Star of Bethlehem
Orobanche Amethystea • Broomrape
Paronychia Capitata • Paronychia
Ranunculus Peltatus • Crowfoot
Silene Latifolia • White Campion
Simethis Mattiazzii • Kerry Lily
Stellaria Media • Chickweed
Urginea Maritima • Autumn Squill
Vicia Sepium • Bush Vetch
Viola Arvensis • Field Pansy
Not sure yet
English name • Latin name
Asparagus • Asparagus Asphodel • Asphodelus Aestivus Autumn Squill • Urginea Maritima Bellardia • Bellardia Trixago Bindweed, Hedge • Calystegia Sepium Broom, Albus • Cytisus Albus Broom, Bridal Veil • Genista Monosperma Broomrape • Orobanche Amethystea Bryony, White • Bryonia Cretica Campion, White • Silene Latifolia Candytuft • Iberis Crenata Carrot, Wild • Daucus Carota Chick Lupine • Lupinus Microcarpus Chickweed • Stellaria Media Cow Parsley • Anthriscus Sylvestris Crowfoot • Ranunculus Peltatus Daisy • Bellis Perennis Daphne, Mediterranean • Daphne Gnidium European Heliotrope• Heliotropium Europaeum Fumitory, White Ramping • Fumaria Capreolata Hare’s-tail Cottongrass • Eriophorum Vaginatum Kerry Lily • Simethis Mattiazzii Olive • Olea Onion, Giant • Allium Nigrum Pansy, Field • Viola Arvensis Paronychia • Paronychia Capitata Purslane (maybe) • Montia Sibirica Quaking Oat Grass • Briza Maxima Ramsons • Allium Ursinum Rockrose, Gum • Cistus Ladanifer Rockrose, Poplar-leaved • Cistus Populifolius Rockrose, Sage-leaved • Cistus Salvifolius Sandwort, Mountain • Arenaria Tetraquetra Snapdragon • Antirrhinum Meonanthum Star of Bethlehem • Omithogalum Umbellatum Sweet Pea, family • Lathyrus Vetch, Bush • Vicia Sepium |
Alyssum • Alyssum
Anacyclus Radiatus • Yellow Daisy
Andryala Integrifolia • Andryala
Anthyllis Vulneraria • Kidney Vetch
Bellardia Trixago • Bellardia
Carlina Corymbosa • Flat-topped Carline Thistle
Carlina Racemosa • Carline Thistle
Crepis Capillaris • Smooth Hawk's-beard
Cytinus Hypocistis • Yellow Hypocist
Cytisus • Broom
Chrysanthemum Vulgare • Tansy
Genista • Whin
Halimium Commutatum • Rockrose
Halimium Ocymoides • Basil-leaved Rockrose
Helichrysum Stoechas • Curry Plant
Hypericum Perforatum • Perforate St John's-wort
Leontodon Autumnalis • Autumn Hawkbit
Leontodon Hispidus • Rough Hawkbit
Linaria Spartea • Ballast Toadflax
Lotus • Bird's-foot-trefoil
Portulaca Oleracea • Purslane
Ranunculus Acris • Meadow Buttercup
Retama Sphaerocarpa • Retama
Sedum Acre • Biting Stonecrop
Sedum Tenuifolium • Stonecrop
Sedum Tenuifolium from above
Trifolium Dubium • Lesser Trefoil
Tolpis Barbata • Tolpis
Tuberaria Guttata • Spotted Rockrose
Tuberaria Guttata • Spotted Rockrose
Tuberaria Lignosa • Perennial Rockrose
Verbascum Nigrum • Dark Mullein
Verbascum Pulverulentum • Hoary Mullein
Viola Lutea • Mountain Pansy
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
English name • Latin name
Alyssum • Alyssum Andryala • Andryala Integrifolia Bellardia • Bellardia Trixago Bird’s-foot-trefoil • Lotus Broom • Cytisus Buttercup, Meadow • Ranunculus Acris Carline Thistle • Carlina Racemosa Carline Thistle, Flat-topped • Carlina Corymbosa Curry Plant • Helichrysum Stoechas Daisy, Yellow • Anacyclus Radiatus Hawkbit, Autumn • Leontodon Autumnalis Hawkbit, Rough • Leontodon Hispidus Hawk’s-beard, Smooth • Crepis Capillaris Hypocist, Yellow • Cytinus Hypocistis Kidney Vetch • Anthyllis Vulneraria Mullein, Dark • Verbascum Nigrum Mullein, Hoary • Verbascum Pulverulentum Pansy, Mountain • Viola Lutea Perforate St John’s-wort • Hypericum Perforatum Purslane • Portulaca Oleracea Retama • Retama Sphaerocarpa Rockrose • Halimium Commutatum Rockrose, Basil-leaved • Halimium Ocymoides Rockrose, Perennial • Tuberaria Lignosa Rockrose, Spotted • Tuberaria Guttata Stonecrop • Sedum Tenuifolium Stonecrop, Biting • Swdum Acre Tansy • Chrysanthemum Vulgare Toadflax, Ballast • Linaria Spartea Tolpis • Tolpis Barbata Trefoil, Lesser • Trifolium Dabium Whin • Genista |
Allium Ampeloprasum • Wild Leek
Centaurea Pullata • Southern Knapweed
Cystus Albidus • Cistus (Grey-leaved)
Convolvulus Arvensis • Bindweed
Cynara Cardunculus • Cardoon
Cystus Crispus • Cistus (Pink)
Digitalis Purpurea • Foxglove
Erica Australis • Spanish Heath
Erica Australis • Spanish Heath
Fumaria Officinalis • Common Fumitory
Geranium Molle • Dove's-foot Crane's-bill
Geranium Pratense • Meadow Crane's-bill
Gladiolus Byzantinus • Field Gladiolus
Knautia Arvensis • Field Scabious
Lathyrus Linifolius • Bitter Vetch
Lonicera Arborea • Honeysuckle
Malva Sylvestris • Common Mallow
Melittis Melissophyllum • Bastard Balm (Mint Family)
Ophrys Tenthredinifera • Sawfly Orchid
Ophrys Tenthredinifera • Sawfly Orchid
Orchis Papilonacea • Butterfly Orchid
Orobanche Rapum-genistae • Greater Broomrape
Paeonia • Peony
Romulea Bulbocodium • Romula
Rosa Canina • Dog Rose
Rubus Fruticosus • Blackberry
Selene Dioica • Red Campion
Silene Psammitis • Sticky Catchfly
Spergularia Rubra • Red Spurrey
Stachys Officinalis • Betony
Vicia Cracca • Tufted Vetch
Vicia Sativa • Common Vetch
Vicia Villosa • Hairy Vetch
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
English name • Latin name
Bastard Balm • Melittis Melissophyllum Betony • Stachys Officinallis Bindweed • Convolvulus Arvensis Blackberry • Rubus Fruticosus Broomrape, Greater • Orobanche Rapum-genistae Cardoon • Cynara Cardunculus Cistus, Grey-leaved • Cystus Albidus Cistus, Pink • Cystus Crispus Crane’s-bill, Dove’s-foot • Geranium Molle Crane’s-bill, Meadow • Geranium Pratense Field Scabious • Knautia Arvensis Foxglove • Digitalis Purpurea Fumitory, Common • Fumaria Officinalis Gladiolus, Field • Gladiolus Byzantinus Honeysuckle • Lonicera Arborea Leek, Wild • Allium Ampeloprasum Mallow, Common • Malva Sylvestris Orchid, Butterfly • Orchis Papilonacea Orchid, Sawfly • Ophrys Tenthredinfera Peony • Paeonia Red Campion • Selene Dioica Red Spurrey • Spergularia Rubia Romulea • Romulea Bulbocodium Rose, Dog • Rosa Canina Southern Knapweed • Centaurea Pullata Spanish Heath • Erica Australis Sticky Catchfly • Silene Psammitis Vetch, Bitter • Lathyrus Linifolius Vetch, Common • Vicia Sativa Vetch, Hairy • Vicia Villosa Vetch, Tufted • Vicia Cracca |
Anagallis Arvensis • Scarlet Pimpernel
Anagallis Monelli • Large Pimpernel
Anarrhinum Bellidifolium • Anarrhinum
Arisarum Vulgare • Friar's Cowl
A. Vulgare from behind
Bupleurum Lancifolium (Hare's-ear)
Cichorium Intybus • Chicory
Cynoglossum Officinale • Houndstooth
Delphinium Nanum • Annual Delphinium
Delphinium Staphisagria • Stavesacre
Echium Plantagineum • Viper's-bugloss
Eryngium Amethystinum • Amethyst Sea Holly
Euphorbia Helioscopia • Sun Spurge
Fritillaria Hispanica • Spanish Fritillary
Fritillaria Lusitanica • Snake's Head Fritillary
Hyacinthoides Hispanica • Spanish Bluebell
Iris Xiphium • Spanish Iris
Jasione Montana • Sheep's-bit
Lavandula • Lavendar
Lupinus Angustifolius • Lupin
Medicago Sativa • Alfalfa
Muscari Comosum • Tassel-headed Hyacinth
Papaver Rhoeas • Common Poppy
Pentaglottis Sempervirens • Green Alkanet
Plantagolagopus • Plantain
Rosimarnus • Rosemary
Rumex Acetosella • Sheep's Sorrel
Sanguisorba Officinalis • Great Burnet
Thapsia • Giant Thapsia
Trifolium Pratense • Red Clover
Umbilicus Rupestris • Navelwort
Vinca Difformis • Periwinkle
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
Not sure yet
English name • Latin name
Alfalfa • Medicago Sativa Amethyst Sea Holly • Eryngium Amethystinum Anarrhinum • Anarrhinum Bellidifolium Bluebell, Spanish • Hyacinthoides Hispanica Chicory • Cichorium Intybus Clover, Red • Trifolium Pratense Delphinium Annual • Delphinium Nanum Friar’s Cowl • Arisarum Vulgare Fritillary, Spanish • Fritillaria Hispanica Great Burnet • Sanguisorba Officinalis Green Alkanet • Pentaglottis Sempervirens Hare’s-ear • Bupleurum Lancifolium Houndstooth • Cynoglossum Officinale Hyacinth, Tassel-headed • Muscari Comosum Iris, Spanish • Iris Xiphium Lavender • Lavandula Lupin • Lupinus Angustifolius Navelwort • Umbilicus Rupestris Periwinkle • Vinca Difformis Pimpernel, Large • Anagallis Monelli Pimpernel, Scarlet • Anagallis Arvensis Plantain • Plantagolagopus Poppy, Common • Papaver Rhoeas Rosemary • Rosimarnus Sheep’s-bit • Jasione Montana Sheep’s Sorrel • Rumex Acetosella Stavesacre • Delphinium Staphisagria Sun Spurge • Euphorbia Helioscopia Thapsia, Giant • Thapsia Viper’s-bugloss • Echium Plantagineum |
Top photo: Snake's Head Fritillary growing on my finca in March