INTRODUCTION

This medium/tall annual or biennial often carpets open areas and waysides in early Spring. Its white flowers are sometimes tinged with pink and the oval leaves are fleshy and mostly toothed. Common on rocky and disturbed ground, Feb-March.

A native annual of coastal areas, with mauve, scented flowers, usually growing in large patches. The fleshy, greyish green leaves are divided, hairless and succulent-like. Seen on undisturbed beaches, Feb-March.

Medium rather variable perennial with yellow flowers borne in branched clusters. The greyish leaves are linear, the lower ones often divided. Seen in rocky habitats, March-June.

A colourful medium tall perennial, dis- tinctive due to its violet flowers. The blue-green, oblong leaves are untoothed and fleshy, the upper ones clasping the stem. It is short-lived. Seen on waysides, disturbed ground, Feb-April.

A short to medium bristly annual with stalked, deeply divided leaves. The flowers are white or pale yellow, the petals with purple veins. It is cultivated as a salad crop. Seen on disturbed ground Feb-June.

A low, evergreen clump-forming plant. The small, spatula-shaped leaves are lime-green, untoothed and hairless. The white flowers are borne in round clusters at the top of the stems. Often grown in gardens. Seen in rocky coastal habitats, March -April.

A low plant with hardly any stem. The leaves are hairy and form a rosette around the single yellow flowerhead and point upwards. Seen in damp places March-April.

Short and mat-forming, this bright yellow daisy-like plant hugs the ground to avoid the sea winds. Its slightly hairy leaves are spatula-shaped and un- toothed. Seen on the coast, March-April.

Usually standing above surrounding vegetation, this large daisy is always striking. The rays can be yellow and white or totally yellow. Its leaves are pale green and deeply divided. It is often grown in gardens. Seen on waysides and disturbed ground, Feb -June.

A small, spreading annual - variable, with yellow or orange flowerheads, sometimes with a brown central disk. The oblong pointed leaves are very finely toothed. Seen on dry and rocky waysides, Jan-June.

A short to medium marigold, with dark yellow flowers. The pointed oval leaves are fleshy and somewhat hairy, grasping the stems at the axil. Seen in rocky, dry places, March-June.

A distinctive medium/tall annual, with long, spine-tipped, spreading bracts surrounding the flowerheads. These are dark yellow and daisy-like with a large central disk. The upper leaves half-clasp the stems, which are hairy and reddish in colour. Seen on waysides and disturbed ground, Feb-May.

A low perennial, the yellow florets having a brown ringed central disk. The pale greyish leaves are oblong and lobed, with tiny white spots. Seen on waysides Feb-Mar.

A low, aromatic plant, with narrow, grey leaves.. The dense yellow ‘everlasting’ clustered flowerheads are borne on a single stem. Seen in coastal areas Feb-Mar.

A greyish-green, low annual with erect thin stems, each bearing one deep yellow button-like flower. The leaves are sparse, coarse to the touch and aromatic. Often grown in gardens, seen in dry places, Mar-May.

A slightly hairy annual with spreading stems which become gradually thickened towards the top, often curved. The yellow button-like flowers are borne at the end of each stem, the pale leaves deeply divided. Seen near the coast March-May.

A marsh daisy with branched stems, of medium height, the flowerheads with a central disk larger than the rays. The leaves are crowded along the stem, linear and fleshy, which are said to be edible. Seen in coastal areas, salt marshes and around salt lakes, June-Sept.

A medium/tall, erect annual of the fleabane family, usually growing in large clumps and smelling of camphor. The leaves are lanceolate and the small, golden, daisy-like flowers are borne along the length of the stem and taper towards the top. Seen on waysides, Aug-Oct.

A variable small to medium annual whose leaves are deeply lobed. The flowerheads occur at the top of long, stout stems; the flower-bracts and buds are long and pointed. Seen on waysides, Jan-March.

Short annual or biennial with erect and much branched stems. The leaves are slightly hairy and divided. The purple/ lilac flowers are numerous and the flower-bracts covered by spines. Seen in sandy or stony places, April – July.

An atttactive, medium perennial, with branched, winged stems and spike-toothed leaves. The purple flowerheads are preceded by bracts with reflexed spines. Seen in coastal areas, Feb-June.

This medium/tall perennial is branched; the scarce upper leaves are unstalked and untoothed. The flower-heads are pale yellow, the flower-bracts all terminating in a long straw-coloured spine. Seen in dry habitats May-August

A tall, stout biennial with spiny, winged stems and oblong divided leaves sometimes covered in cobwebby hairs. The large flower -heads are usually purple, and the flower- bracts are linear and pointed. Often grown in gardens and widely naturalised. Seen in stony habitats and roadsides, May-July.

A robust, striking, usually tall, thistle with large purple, spiny flowerheads. Distinctive due to the white veins on the leaves and long, thick, pointed flower-bracts. It is used medicinally for ailments such as liver disease. Seen on waysides, March-June.

A relative of Safflower, this annual has a covering of downy hairs when young. The stems are straw-coloured, which the narrow, pointed leaves clasp on the upper part. The flower-bracts bear a spine-toothed appendage. Seen on stony slopes Feb-March.

A low, spreading perennial with fleshy leaves and small pink or white flowers. Seen near salt marshes or on coastal sands, Mar-April.

A medium high, attractive perennial, with slender grey-green leaves. The flowers are sweet-scented with five deeply cut, fringed, pale pink petals. Seen on hill tops, May-June.

A low plant with bright blue flowers, which is the same species as Scarlet Pimpernel. The stems are four-angled and the oval leaves are opposite and unstalked. Seen on open ground and coastal sands, April-Oct.

A small iris, growing from a nut-like corm, hence its name. The flowers only last for a day and the colour varies from light blue to almost purple; the leaves are grooved and sheath-like. Seen on stony fields and slopes, March-April.

A medium tall striking plant, the slender stems bearing 6-10 dark pink flowers on a two-sided spike. The narrow leaves are basal and end in a sharp point. It is very vulnerable to drought. Seen on rocky hillslopes, March-April.

A low, spreading, rather hairy plant with erect stems and heart-shaped, toothed leaves. The flowers are purplish and the petals are often irregular in size. Seen in dry, open habitats and waysides, Jan-May.

A small to medium bulbous narcissi, distinctive due to the whole flower being white, apart from the stamens. The bluish-green leaves are strap-shaped and each stalk bears several flowers which are intensely fragrant; it is often grown in gardens, indoors or sold as cut flowers. Vulnerable to drought, seen on rocky hill slopes, Dec-Mar.

The flowers of this plant are totally white, large and fragrant. The stamens are borne on the rim of a cone-shaped trumpet. Seen on beaches, dunes, July-Sept

A local form of sea lavender; hairless, erect, with fleshy, spatula-shaped leaves at the base. The mauve flowerheads are large, sparse and spreading. Seen on coastal rocks, May-Aug.

Alo known as Cape Sorrel, this plant is not a buttercup, but a sorrel from South Africa. With bright lemon flowers and shamrock-like leaves it appears after rain. A double form occurs on the beach of Santa Pola Cape. Widespread on waysides, Jan-April.

This little plant occurs in patches of fleshy, heart-shaped leaves before the spring vegetation takes hold. The flower bracts or ’hoods’ are green, becoming maroon and cream, mainly striped, enclosing a long, clublike protrudence, bent backwards. At the base of this are small, violet flowers. Seen on coastal garrigue, Dec-Feb.

A short bulbous perennial, the upper flowers pale blue, the lower ones darker. The leaves are channelled, linear and spikey. Seen in stony habitats, Mar/May

A medium tall, delicate looking plant, though it is unscathed by winter winds or hot sun. The petals of the star-like white flowers have a distinctive brown stripe through the middle. It is multi-stemmed and the narrow, cylindrical leaves and the stalks are both hollow. Seen in rocky places, Jan-March

A more robust-looking plant, growing to 1m. but it can be susceptible to drought. It is a striking and visible feature of the hillsides in the Spring, its white star-like flowers borne on branches half-way up the stem and the tall spire. Its grey- green, tapered leaves are all at the base. Seen on the hillslopes, March-April.

A short perennial with white, glistening, star-like flowers with yellow anthers; the narrow leaves are dark green, channelled, with a white central strip. The leaves tend to die off late in the flower- ing season. The buds bear a broad green stripe. Seen in garrigue, March-May.

A small plant, whose flowers have a long lower lip and all face the same direction. It is rather woody at the base and has small linear, rather stiff leaves along the stem. Seen on rocky slopes, March-May.

An aromatic, small shrub, softly hairy and distinctive due to its deeply toothed leaves. The blue/purple flowers are 7-8mm in a long-stalked spike. Seen in garrigue and stony places, flowering March-June.

strongly aromatic shrub with narrow, stiff leaves which are green on the upper side, white-felted underneath. The two-lipped flowers grow in the axis of the leaves and are pale blue. It is much cultivated, the leaves used in cooking and for the essential oils. Seen on rocky hills, flowering Dec-March.

Also known as the ‘Lamplit plant’ due to the leaves having been used for wicks in lamps. A medium/tall plant with narrow, white- felted leaves and yellow flowers borne in whorls one above the other. The leaves have also been used as an infusion for herbal tea. Seen on rocky slopes, March-April.

A tall herb, rather foetid, with erect usually unbranched stems, which are often purple or red. The leaves are oval, toothed, the upper unstalked. The flowers are purple, in dense whorls along the stems. Seen on banks and dry places, May-June.

A low, woody, much branched herb with small, narrow, stiff leaves and small pale pink flowers. It is aromatic, and grown commercially for use in food and medicines. Seen dry, rocky habitats, April-July.

A low, rather sprawling, bristly perennial. The funnel-shaped flowers are bright blue and the narrow green-blue leaves scarcely stalked. Seen in dry, sandy places Feb-April.

A medium/tall plant, bristly to the touch; its brilliant blue flowers are rose-coloured on first opening, with red stamens. Its name is derived from the fact that the plant was once used, distilled, as a remedy for viper, or snake, bite! The name Bugloss is of Greek origin and, meaning ‘ox’s tongue’, due to the shape and roughness of the leaves. Widespread in dry habitats, Mar-June.

A short to medium, sometimes sprawling, bristly perennial, with grey -green oblong leaves crowded along the stem. The flowers are usually purple with reddish tinges. Seen in rocky habitats, Feb-June

A low spreading, delicate-looking plant, but able to withstand winter winds. The small greyish leave are pointed and somewhat woolly; the pointed buds curve down from the stem. Widespread in rocky places, Jan-May.

This attractive rockrose occurs in clumps, discernible by a mass of soft yellow flowers; these are all one side of the stem, which is felted. The small, narrow leaves are white/ woolly beneath and lavender-like. The pointed buds hang down in clusters from the stem. (The Cat’s Paw rockrose is similar, Helianthemum caput-felis, but rare). Seen in coastal habitats, Feb-Mar.

A small and much branched plant growing only up to 20 cm. It’s small oblong, fleshy, dark green leaves are alternately and evenly spaced along the stem. The yellow petals often have a pale orange blotch at the base. Seen in dry areas Feb-March.

A small plant with erect stems covered by dark green, narrow, hairy, leaves. The flowers are crowded at the top . Seen in dry, stony fields, Mar- May.

A medium high perennial, the blue, daisy- like flowerheads borne on much branched stems. The bluish leathery, oblong leaves are pointed and often toothed at the end. Seen in coastal habitats March-May.

A medium/tall, branched plant with divided grey-green leaves. The flowers are yellow with a pointed green centre and the petals fringed with long ‘hairs’ It is used medicinally in some countries. Seen on dry hill slopes, Mar-May.

This low, daisy-like, colourful, spreading native of South Africa has naturalised here. It has been planted on dunes to stabilise them, but nowadays discour- aged due to the harm to native plants. The fig-like fruit is said to be edible. Seen in dry habitats, banks, Mar-June

The native ice plant is low and spreading, its spatula-shaped leaves are pink-fringed and covered in glistening, crystalline hairs. The pale cream flowerheads are small and delicate-looking. Seen in sandy places, April-June.

A low, sometimes scrambling, attractive plant but beware, its small, leathery leaves are spine- tipped (probably to discourage being eaten!) The pink flowers are stalked with prominent stamens. Common on waysides March-June.

A medium, erect perennial with pale blue to lilac dense, rather domed flower-heads borne on long stems. The narrow pointed leaves are main- ly at the base, hairy and rather thick. Seen in grassy places, March-May

A tall annual with striped lilac flowers in clusters of 2-8 on each stem. The hairy leaves are rounded, heart-shaped and partly lobed. Common on waysides, banks and disturbed ground, March-May.

A low, spreading plant with light or dark pink, funnel-shaped flowers. The dark green leaves are stalked and deeply lobed. Common on waysides and disturbed ground, March-June.

A switch-like shrub, with grey-green, hairless, erect stems which are virtually leafless. The yellow pea-like flowers are fragrant, appearing in clusters towards the ends of the stems. Probably used in the past to make brooms. Seen in dry, sandy places, March-July.

A small tree with a smooth grey bark. The long, pointed leaves are a silvery green, the pale, yellow flowers fragrant and ‘fluffy’. Originating from Australia, widely planted and naturalised. Seen by roadsides and in gardens, flowering Feb-March.

A small shrub which is scaly to the touch, the small, shiny leaves dense- ly overlapping along the stem. The flowers are yellowish, borne in small, partially concealed clusters. The stems were used for making rough string in the past. Seen near salt marshes, Oct-May.

A creeping plant growing in sandy places and easily recognised by the dense silvery white hairs which cover it and pea-like yellow flowers. The leaves are stalked consisting of several leaflets. Seen on dunes and beaches April-June.

A medium/high subshrub with furrowed, rush-like stems, with only 3 or more small narrow leaves at the stem joints. (which are deciduous). The yellow pea-like flowers are in groups of 5-10 in crown-shaped heads. The thin seed pods are up to 5cm long and curve slightly. Seen in coastal areas and on cliffs, Feb- April.

A variable species with slightly hairy stems, smelling of tar. The lilac-blue flowerheads are clover-like, each one borne on a tall stem. The three leaflets are long-stalked and curving inwards. Widespread on waysides, Feb-April.

A medium/low multi-stemmed plant with one bright yellow flower topping each. The small narrow leaves are leathery and very crowded the length of the stem. Seen on rocky slopes, garrigue, Feb-April.

A short to medium perennial with dense pale yellow flowerheads born on one erect fairly thick stem. The small, thick, pointed leaves are greyish-green, spiralling the stem. Common in rocky places April-June.

A little orchid, 25cm or less and easily missed. The shiny blue of the speculum, or mirror, is fringed by brown and yellow hairs; there are 2-10 flowers per stalk. The base leaves are oblong and blunt, the stem leaves more pointed. Seen on rocky slopes, Feb-March.

A giant perennial herb, aromatic with mustard yellow umbels of flowers. The leaves are composed of 3-4 leaflets from sheath-like bases. The pith, when dry burns slowly inside the stem and, can be carried alight - it is possible they may have been used for the original Olympic torch ! Seen on rocky hills, clifftops, Feb-March.

An easily recognisable species, even when its yellow-green flowers are over; the oblong leaves are hairless and fleshy. The flowers are borne in umbels with small petals, curled up at the tips. Seen on coastal rocks, March-May.

A spiny, thistly plant for an umbellifer, with diverging branches; it has clasping stem leaves and long-stalked basal leaves. The yellow-green flowers grow in broad dome- shaped clusters with narrow, pointed pale green bracts. Seen on dry or sandy ground, April-May.

A medium perennial with a woody stock and fleshy, finely toothed or serrated leaves at the top. The bright yellow flow- ers are encased by yellow bracts which are rounded, with a point. Seen on dry, sandy ground near the coast,

A variable, large, rounded euphorbia with forked branches and a thick trunk. The thick, oblong eaves are greyish and fleshy. The lime-yellow flowers end each stem in an umbel. Seen on garrigue, flowering April -June.

A medium, hairless perennial with a reddish stem. The narrow leaves are unstalked, pointed and surround the top in a star. The umbels have four to five rays, surrounded by green, dia- mond shaped bracts. The seeds could be said to resemble capers. Seen in rocky habitats, Feb-June.

A small, native tree which grows along river banks and streams. With its clusters of pink or white flowers, evergreen narrow leaves and drought resistance, it is favoured by councils to plant along roads or paths, for which a shrub form has been developed. All parts of the plant are poisonous, emanating from the white sap which exudes from the leaves or stem when cut. The shrub form is widespread flowering May/Aug

A tall shrub with attractive pink flowers and leaves, papery to the touch. The leaves are oppo- site each along the stem, as the name implies! Seen mainly next to salt marshes, flowers Oct- Nov.

A small evergreen tree with leathery leaves which are aromatic. The male plant has bright red flowers and the female pale green; the berries turn red and then black in winter. The mastic is harvested in some countries, for uses such as chewing gum or spice. Seen in rocky or sandy coastal areas.

A clump-forming important grass for preventing erosion and shelter- ing smaller species. The spear-like, cream-coloured flowerheads are borne on long stems of up to 1.5m. Widespread on hillslopes, garrigue, flowering Mar-June.

An attractive medium tall grass, with hairy, silky, straw-coloured flowerheads and a habit of growing in isolated clumps. Its leaves are rather rigid, with rolled blades, often grown in gardens as ornamental grass. Seen on waysides, Feb-June.

Usually called reeds, these are tall grasses up to 2.5m, whose stems have silky hairs at the joints with the leaves. The latter are hairless with a very rough margin. The flowerheads are long and feathery varying in colour from cream to grey. Seen around salt lakes and in moist places, April-November.

A medium size rush, forming clumps along- side roads. The flowerhead is loose with bristly projections, elongated and darker than the stalks and leaves, which have a golden hue. Seen close to the sea or saltmarshes, Mar-Aug.