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🇪🇸 The flowers of Spain

90 pages from Spain: its flowers, the things made with them and the places to see them, across 26 cities and regions.

Spain is home to more species of flowering plants than any other European country, with a remarkable variety shaped by its mountains, coasts, islands, and climate zones. About a quarter of these plants are found nowhere else. Remnants of oak and pine forests, Mediterranean shrublands, and unique island flora set Spain's plant life apart.

The plant life of Spain

Spain's plant life is shaped by its varied geography and climates, from the high plateaus and mountain ranges of the mainland to the distinct environments of the Canary and Balearic Islands. The country supports between 8,000 and 9,000 species of vascular plants, more than anywhere else in Europe. Mediterranean forests once covered much of the interior, dominated by holm and cork oaks, but now dense shrublands called maquis are common. Pine forests thrive on sandy and limestone soils, while river valleys and the northwest coast hold remnants of deciduous woodlands. The southeast features subtropical steppe vegetation.

From region to region in Spain

Flora changes sharply across Spain. The north, with its oceanic climate, supports lush deciduous forests. The Mediterranean interior and coast are home to oak and pine woodlands and dense shrublands. Higher elevations see Pyrenean oak, Scots pine, and juniper. The southeast is drier, with steppe-like plants. The Canary and Balearic Islands each have their own sets of unique species, some not found on the mainland.

Flowers to know in Spain

Spain has a high number of endemic flowering plants—822 on the mainland and 103 in the Balearics. Some species, like borage and wild arum, grow almost everywhere in the country, including the islands. Others, such as the southern maidenhair fern and Cynoglossum creticum, are widespread but absent from some eastern Canary Islands. The natural forests that once dominated are now mostly replaced by shrublands and scattered trees.

Threats and protection in Spain

A significant portion of Spain's endemic plants are threatened, more so than in any other European country. About 27% of the land is protected through parks and reserves, as part of the Natura 2000 network. Conservation efforts focus on safeguarding rare species and habitats, especially in the islands and mountainous regions.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Wildlife of Spain", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Flower experiences in Spain

All 4
🇪🇸 Barcelona · All yearThe flower kiosks of La RamblaA stretch of Barcelona's central promenade lined with flower kiosks since the nineteenth century, busiest on 23 April. 🇪🇸 Granada · Apr to OctThe Generalife gardens above the AlhambraThe summer estate of Granada's Nasrid rulers, where water channels run between roses, myrtle, jasmine and orange trees. 🇪🇸 Plasencia · Mar to AprCherry blossom in the Jerte valleyA mountain valley in Extremadura where terraces of cherry orchards flower white together for about ten days in early spring. 🇪🇸 Córdoba · MayThe patios of Córdoba in MayFor two weeks each May, families in Córdoba's old quarters open their flower-filled courtyards to anyone who walks in.

Cities and regions of Spain

Barcelona 3Andalusia 2Granada 2Gran Canaria 2Tenerife 2Valencia 2Balearic Islands 1Catalonia 1central Spain 1Córdoba 1Costa del Azahar 1El Hierro 1La Gomera 1Las Palmas 1Madrid 1Málaga 1Mallorca 1Montblanc 1Montjuïc 1Pedralbes 1San Ildefonso 1Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1Seville 1Sierra de Gredos 1Sierra Nevada 1Tafira Alta 1
ShowFlowersDecorationsPlaces
ColourRedPinkOrangeYellowWhiteCreamBluePurpleGreenMaroonMany-coloured
In flowerSpringSummerMonsoonAutumnWinter
Mistletoe A parasitic evergreen plant with white or red berries, found on trees worldwide 🇦🇺 Australia and 3 more · Wildflower Decoration Flower parade A parade of floats, vehicles and people decorated with flowers 🇳🇱 Netherlands and 6 more · Parade or display Spanish BluebellHyacinthoides hispanica A spring bulb with upright blue, pink, or white bell-shaped flowers 🇪🇸 Spain and 3 more · Wildflower Decoration Courtyards Festival of Córdoba An annual May festival where Córdoba's courtyards bloom with flowers 🇪🇸 Spain · Parade or display, May Mountain arnicaArnica montana A yellow-flowered herb from Europe's uplands, used in herbal traditions 🇫🇷 France and 7 more · Wildflower Wild daffodilNarcissus pseudonarcissus A pale yellow spring flower and the national emblem of Wales 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 9 more · Wildflower Decoration Still life Artworks showing arranged objects like flowers, fruit, and vessels 🇳🇱 Netherlands and 4 more · Art or design Decoration Vanitas A style of still life art showing the fleeting nature of life and worldly things 🇪🇸 Spain · Art or design Common jasmineJasminum officinale A climbing plant with white, fragrant flowers grown in gardens and for perfume 🇵🇰 Pakistan and 7 more · Garden flower Decoration Perfume A scented liquid made from oils, flowers, and aromatics for body and space 🇫🇷 France and 6 more · Arrangement Decoration Orange flower water A fragrant distillate from bitter-orange blossoms used in food, drink, and tradition 🇩🇿 Algeria and 7 more · Flower craft Ivy-leaved geraniumPelargonium peltatum A trailing plant with fleshy, lobed leaves and pale mauve to pink flowers 🇿🇦 South Africa and 7 more · Garden flower Sweet mock orangePhiladelphus coronarius A fragrant white-flowered shrub from the Caucasus and Turkey, grown in gardens 🇹🇷 Turkey and 7 more · Flowering shrub Dame's-violetHesperis matronalis A tall, fragrant flower with purple, pink, or white blooms in spring 🇪🇸 Spain and 4 more · Wildflower Fringed Water-lilyNymphoides peltata A floating yellow aquatic plant with wavy leaves and fringed flowers 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Water flower Silver sennaSenna artemisioides A yellow-flowered shrub native to dry regions of Australia 🇦🇺 Australia and 5 more · Wildflower Place Generalifeجَنَّة الْعَرِيف Historic hillside gardens and palace beside the Alhambra in Granada Granada, 🇪🇸 Spain · Flower garden Satsuma mandarinCitrus unshiu A sweet, easy-peeling citrus fruit grown in Japan, China, and beyond 🇯🇵 Japan and 5 more · Flowering tree Decoration Paradise gardenباغ پردیس A walled, symmetrical garden with water channels and fragrant trees 🇮🇷 Iran and 4 more · Garden style Decoration Arabesque A rhythmic pattern of scrolling foliage and lines in Islamic and European art 🇪🇬 Egypt and 3 more · Art or design RockroseCistus Evergreen shrubs with papery flowers from the Mediterranean 🇪🇸 Spain and 3 more · Wildflower Orange blossomCitrus sinensis The fragrant white flower of the sweet orange tree, used in perfume and food 🇪🇸 Spain and 1 more · Garden flower French lavenderLavandula stoechas A Mediterranean lavender with purple bracts atop its flower spikes 🇪🇸 Spain and 2 more · Wildflower Shrubby CinquefoilDasiphora fruticosa A hardy yellow-flowered shrub found in cool northern regions 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering shrub Lilium pyrenaicum A mountain lily with yellow to red Turk's-cap flowers and a musky scent 🇪🇸 Spain · Wildflower Poet's daffodilNarcissus poeticus A fragrant white daffodil linked to ancient Greek myth and poetry 🇪🇸 Spain and 6 more · Wildflower Iris latifolia A bulb iris from the Pyrenees with large purple blooms in early summer 🇫🇷 France and 1 more · Wildflower OliveOlea europaea Evergreen tree grown for its fruit and oil across the Mediterranean and beyond 🇪🇸 Spain and 7 more · Flowering tree Place Jardí Botànic de Barcelona A botanical garden on Montjuïc hill with plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide Barcelona, 🇪🇸 Spain · Botanical garden Place Parc de Cervantes A rose garden park in Barcelona with sculptures and open lawns Barcelona, 🇪🇸 Spain · Flower garden Place Botanical Garden of ValenciaJardí Botànic A historic university botanical garden in the heart of Valencia, Spain Valencia, 🇪🇸 Spain · Botanical garden Decoration Chintzछींट Indian floral-printed cotton fabric with a glossy or painted finish 🇮🇳 India and 2 more · Art or design Place Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife A botanical garden in Tenerife devoted to palms from islands worldwide Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 🇪🇸 Spain · Botanical garden Common rhododendronRhododendron ponticum A dense evergreen shrub with violet-purple flowers from Europe and the Caucasus 🇵🇹 Portugal and 6 more · Flowering shrub Decoration Tulipiere A pottery vessel with spouts for growing tulip bulbs indoors 🇪🇸 Spain · Arrangement Place Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo The main botanical garden of the Canary Islands, near Las Palmas on Gran Canaria Las Palmas, 🇪🇸 Spain · Botanical garden Cotton thistleOnopordum acanthium Tall, spiny thistle with pink to lavender globe-shaped flowers 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Place La Concepción Botanical Historical GardenJardín Botánico Histórico La Concepción A historic subtropical botanical garden at the edge of Málaga, Spain Málaga, 🇪🇸 Spain · Botanical garden Scarlet runner beanPhaseolus coccineus A climbing bean with bright red flowers and edible pods and seeds 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Leucojum White-flowered bulbs of damp meadows and shady gardens 🇪🇸 Spain and 6 more · Wildflower Alpine toadflaxLinaria alpina A small violet-flowered plant of rocky European mountain slopes 🇦🇹 Austria and 7 more · Wildflower Orange lilyLilium bulbiferum A bright orange European lily with spotted flowers and stem bulbils 🇪🇸 Spain and 3 more · Wildflower
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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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