Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

August 2004, Tolpis, Tolpis barbata

This plant is native to Southern Europe and North Africa and now is the best time to see it on dry sandy ground in coastal areas. The yellow flowers mature to a deep yellow with a chocolate coloured centre with long green bracts.

At this stage it cannot be mistaken for similar plants. It is a low growing, spreading, annual, reaching a height of no more than 30 cms. It has adapted to harsh conditions by occasionally becoming a biannual, flowering in its second year.

The flowering season is April to July. This one was seen in the Los Palmones Natural Park on the 4th July 2004.