Claire Wilson
WHEN you go for a wander around Andalucia’s beautiful countryside, it is hard not to notice some of the native species. Next time you have a walk, try and spot these six.
Anthora
Also known as healing wolfsbane and yellow monkshood, anthora is a member of the ranunculaceae family and grows to three feet in height. It thrives in conditions ranging from partial shade to full sun and in moderately moist soil. A poisonous evergreen plant, anthora produces yellow or bluish flowers.
Ornamental Onion
A member of the alliaceae family, ornamental onion grows to two feet in height and thrives in partial shade to full sun conditions. Its violet to pink flowers bloom as bold, single cluster balls atop a single stem from mid-summer into the earlier parts of autumn. Ornamental onion self-propagates through seeds, and it is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives well in moderately moist soil.
Lacy Self-Heal
Belonging to the lamiaceae family, self-heal is a perennial herbaceous plant. Also known as cut leaf self-heal, the plant grows up to one and half feet in height and forms pink or white flower clusters at its centre from spring to mid-summer.
Lesser Butterfly Orchid
One of the many orchid species native to Spain’s grassland, woodland and hillside areas, lesser butterfly orchid grows less than 22 inches in height. A member of the orchidaceae family, this orchid blooms from mid-spring into mid-summer, forming floral clusters at the terminal ends of its stems. Lesser butterfly orchid grows in moist soil and in full sun.
Bee Orchid
Bee orchid is a versatile perennial orchid and is a member of the orchidaceae family. The bee orchid’s blossoms resemble the form of a bee, and the plant blooms in midsummer. Bee orchids grow less than one foot in height, thriving in well-drained to damp soils and full sun.
Grey-Leaved Cistus
Grey-leaved cistus is a member of the cistaceae family and continuously produces one-day pink, lilac or purple flowers that have yellow centres. This flowering evergreen plant grows up to three feet in height, and thrives in full sun and moderately moist soil. Its other common names include sun rose and rock rose.
