Prunella hyssopifolia.Self-heal

Prunella hyssopifolia
Self-heal
Brunelle à feuilles d’hysope

Area of distribution is limited to SW France and NE Spain

It has narrow, sessile leaves as opposed to P. grandiflora or P. vulgaris which have broader leaves

In the mint family with square stems

The common name of ‘self-heal’ derives from it’s use in herbal medicine to heal wounds and inflammations

Prunella species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora albitarsella

Flower spike, 5.21.13, Lacoste valley

Bloom

In Situ

 

 

Pisum sativum.Pea

Pisum sativum
Pea
Pois èlevé

Native to the Mediterranean

Peas have been cultivated for more than 7,000 years

In Situ, 4.28.13, along an ancient road to Fort de Buoux, Lubéron

Bloom, 4.28.13

 

 

Photinia serratifolia.Chinese photinia

Photinia serratifolia (syn. Photinia serrulata)
Chinese photinia
Photinia chinois

Native to Southeast Asia, China, and Japan

Name from Greek ‘photeinos’ meaning shiny in reference to the glossy leaves

Leaves are toxic to some animals due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides

Small bright red, berry like fruit forms in large quantities in the fall

Most species are evergreen, but several are deciduous

Form

Early bloom, 4.18.13, Le Jardin des Plantes, Paris

Bloom

 

 

New leaves emerge red, gradually turning green

Phlomis fruticosa.Jerusalem sage

Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem Sage
Sauge de Jérusalem

Native to the Mediterranean region

In the mint family, Lamiaceae

Leaves: grey-green, tomentose, white undersides

“Fruticosa” means shrubby

‘Phlomis” is derived from “phlomos”, Greek for mullein, in reference to the woolly character of the leaves, similar to the common mullein plant

In Situ, 5.19.13, near the base of the windmill in the village of Goult

Bloom, 5.19.13

Pubescent, ovate leaves, 5.19.13

 

Ornithogalum umbellatum.Star of Bethlehem

Ornithogalum umbellatum

Star of Bethlehem

Dame d’onze-heure, Ornithogale en ombelle

Native to Mediterranean region; considered invasive in some areas of the U.S.

Umbel-like raceme contains 3-10 flowers

Leaf: linear, channeled with white central stripe along the top surface

Bloom

In Situ, Lacoste valley, 4.25.13

Gemeiner Milchstern illustration, 1796

 

  

Orchis purpurea.Lady Orchid

Orchis purpurea
Lady orchid
Orchis pourpre

3-6 basal leaves is most common

Dense inflorescence may have up to 100 flowers

Stem: green at the base, becoming increasingly purple towards the flower spike

‘Orchid’ derives from the Greek ‘orkhis’, meaning testicle, because of the shape of the underground tubers

Bloom 5.07.13

In Situ, Lacoste, 5.07.13

Fading Bloom 4.08.13

Fall, Lacoste, 11.02.14

Muscari neglectum.Grape Hyacinth

Muscari neglectum

Grape Hyacinth

Muscari négligé

Perennial bulbous plant native to Eurasia

There are about 60 species of grape hyacinth found mainly in the Mediterranean region.

The leaves are very narrow, semi-cylindrical with a central groove; as opposed to M. botryoidal which has shorter, wider leaves.

Form

In Situ, Lacoste valley 4.08.13

Bloom with white lobes at the tip