Iberianature

Tabernas in flower

This lovely photo of Tabernas Desert in bloom was taken by Andrés Ivorra and posted originally on the forum. He notes:

“An exceptional amount of rainfall looks like snow but it isn’t. Linaria nigricans is in full flower in the desert of Tabernas. A joy for your eyes.”

I’m not sure how much it has rained in Tabernas itself but Andrés informs me that rainfall records have been smashed in Almeria capital this winter with some 400mm falling in just two months.

Check out Andrés’ site on Wildflowers of Almeria

Browsing through his site I can see it is not only about flora. It is also the best guide in English on the nature and geography of Almeria in general.

Almeria, Andalucia, Flora | Tags: Geography of Almeria, Linaria nigricans, Tabernas desert, Wildflowers of Andalusia|

Black poplars of Aragon

Aragon, Flora, Spanish forests, Traditional activities | Tags: Black poplar in Spain, Chabier de Jaime Loren, El chopo cabecero en el sur de Aragon, Fernando Herrero Loma, southern Aragon, Trees of Aragon|

Dutch elm disease in Spain

Dutch elm disease (grafiosis in Spanish) arrived relatively late to Spain. It was first detected in the 1980s, though it may well have reached the country a decade before, and has decimated 80-90% of common elms (Ulmus minor) in Iberia. One of the very few elm stands to have survived in Spain is in Rivas Vaciamadrid, near Madrid, as it is isolated from other trees. Efforts are being made here to conserve the trees here and ensure a genetic bank from which one day to replant elms across the country.
Wikipedia (Spanish)

Flora, On Spain, Spanish forests | Tags: elms in Spain, history of Ducth elm disease, Iberian elms, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Spain, Rivas Vaciamadrid, Spanish elms, Spanish translation of Dutch elm disease, tree diseases in Spain|

Plant extintion in the Mediterranean

According to American biology professor Osvaldo Sala, 20-25% of plant species in the Mediterranean will become extinct by 2050 because of climate change and changes in land use. This is one of the highest levels of predicted biodiversity loses (El Mundo).

Flora, On Spain, biodiversity in Spain | Tags: biodiversity in Spain, Mediteterranean|

The dangers of oleander

Fascinating article by Clive Muir and Sue Eatock on the dangers of oleander (Nerium oleander) which at the start of summer flourishes luridly along Spain’s riverbeds and motorways. Despite its use in municipal planting schemes and private gardens this plant is extremely toxic.

They write “it contains numerous toxic compounds, many of which can be deadly to people – especially young children. The toxins include oleandrin and neriine, which affect the heart, and the bark contains rosagenin, which acts in a similar way to strychnine. The entire plant including the sap is harmful. Even after drying, the leaves are still dangerous. A single leaf holds enough poison to kill a small child. In the past crushed, dried leaves mixed with stale bread have been used as a very effective rat poison…” Read on Olve Press (not for the faint hearted!)

Flora | |

The largest tree in Andalucia

The largest tree in Andalucia has been listed by the Andalusian government in the Sierra de los Filabres, Almeria. This immense holm oak (encina) measuring 16 metres wide and 25 metres high is believed to be a remnant of an ancient Mediterranean forest. The tree is known as ‘La Peana’ (El Mundo)

Almeria, Andalucia, Flora | |