Flowers of northern Spain

[paul m]

I've just loaded the first of many pictures of flowers taken recently in the Picos de Europa, Cantabria - would appreciate any comments. I have an idea what some of them are but realise that there may plants very similar to British species that I'm not aware of elsewhere in Europe - especially at some altitude.
Starting from: http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal...4/limit/recent

http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gal...e/2/ppuser/152

[Guy F]

All good shots, and lots of very colourful and interesting flowers. Unfortunately I can't help with ids much, I'm not very good on plants.
I like this flower.

It does look like a Colchicum from the book. I suppose that it will emerge from the soil more in time?
I'm not sure what the orchid is, there doesn't seem to be anything similar in the Mediterranean wildlife book. When I visited the Spanish mountains the plants flowering periods seemed quite strange. Some plants seemed to be flowering later than in Britain while some seemed to be flowering earlier, I suppose the flowering times there must be affected a lot by the latitude and altitude.
Guy

[paul m]

Originally Posted by Guy F

It does look like a Colchicum from the book. I suppose that it will emerge from the soil more in time?
I'm not sure what the orchid is, there doesn't seem to be anything similar in the Mediterranean wildlife book. When I visited the Spanish mountains the plants flowering periods seemed quite strange. Some plants seemed to be flowering later than in Britain while some seemed to be flowering earlier, I suppose the flowering times there must be affected a lot by the latitude and altitude.
Guy

What we need is a good botanist. I know that Colchicum is often sold as "Autumn Crocus" causing some confusion but it seems from Fleurs du Roussillon that "Colchicum" is actually three species. My specimens don't look like the illustrations of Colchicum autumnale on the web (not shown here). Rather they resemble the Merendera montana shown on this site?

The other confusing thing is that both groups tend to flower either in autumn or in spring - what was this one doing in mid-August? I suppose that, at this moderate altitude, spring might be late or autumn early?

Yes, I saw the same thing as you - blakberry and rowan were still in flower but many 'early summer' plants were in seed ....

[paul m]

A word from the wise.Tiggrx comments: "A species of Merendera. Probably M. pyrenaica though M. filifolia is also in Spain."
Thanks for the comments on this and other pics.

[Guy F]

It's an interesting looking flower. Is this fully grown or will it have a stalk eventually?
Guy

[paul m]

Originally Posted by Guy F

It's an interesting looking flower. Is this fully grown or will it have a stalk eventually?
Guy

Can only speak for the garden plantings I've seen in UK but usually the flower comes up much like this (larger in garden cultivars) then a great mass of leaves but no stem as such ....

[stirling]

Very nice photos Paul i am no good with plants though,sorry.
Best from mike.