There was just one single plant was in flower on this walk alongside a flowing mountain stream and naturally I assumed that it must be a garden escape as nature so rarely produces such large and exotic looking blooms like this. Closer examination of the habitat showed that there were several plants growing on a stony hillside most of which were about to flower. This plant used to be common in the hills around Ronda but is now much reduced in numbers but is a native of the area.

River valley near El Burgo, Andalucia, Spain 31st March 2008

Added on 1st May 2008