WILD FLOWERS OF THE ALGARVE
SOUTHERN PORTUGAL

Two of the smallest woody bushes (20-30 cms high) of the barrocal bloom in May and June and still bloom early in summer. The thyme bushes (Thymus capitatus) make themselves conspicuous with their many small cluster of two lipped mauve flowers. Staehelina dubia produces tiny composite silvery mauve flowers like masses of flexible fine paintbrushes. The silvery sheen is due to the shiny pappus hairs.

The motif for the capital of the Corinthian column comes from a handsome plant, Acanthus mollis. This plant has dark glossy green leaves which have lined the shady side of walls since spring. Now the great spikes of flowers develop. Along their length the flowers arise from spiny bracts and are flushed a delicate purple. The diagram shows two views of one of the flowers.