This one is Silene littorea, a common little annual on coastal sands in the Mediterranean in March and April. 
Month: January 2016
Sea daffodils: the Mediterranean’s most beautiful flowers, smell just like lilies on balmy late summer evenings in the sand dunes. They are pollinated by hawkmoths.
Flammable, beautiful and ecologically important, Rock roses (Cistus) are a striking feature of the Mediterranean hillside in spring
Long-used in the perfume industry, these shrubs which are so emblematic of the Mediterranean, have aromatic volatile oils and have even been reported to self-ignite in hot conditions! Interestingly, fire may actually stimulate their seeds to germinate.
They form associations with truffles, and with a curious little parasite, Cytinus hypocistis (see photo below of plant emerging from a rock rose root), which actually lives within the rock rose’s tissues until flowering.
So much more than just attractive garden shrubs!
Tabernas: Europe’s only semi desert
Tabernas is the only true semi-desert in Europe. Situated in southeast Spain (Almeria, Andalucia), this seemingly baron landscape is in fact home to a plethora of rare succulents and sea lavenders, among other things. Well worth a visit in March when parts of the landscape are ablaze with little annuals which burst into bloom after seasonal rains.
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