WILD FLOWERS OF THE ALGARVE
SOUTHERN PORTUGAL

If the rains were good in winter the large blue thistles continue blooming into summer. However in drought years only a few Cynara humilis will still be blooming in July. The Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is a larger plant with bigger bright blue flower heads (about 5-6 cm in diameter) and long frond like leaves bearing bunches of spines on the undersurface. In drought years only a few C. humilis plants will still flower in July.