Cazorla, Spain

[ashley]

Cazorla National Park (Parque Natural de las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas) is the largest in Spain and said to be the second largest in (Western?) Europe, with an area of about 2,100 km² in Jaén province, eastern Andalucia, Spain ( ).   

It’s mainly mountainous, up to about 2,100 m and the source of the rivers Guadalquivir and Segura, but includes a wide range of habitats including extensive forests, gorges, valleys and lakes.  The flora is exceptional; at least 2,170 species are recorded from the park, of which 34 or so are endemic.  The fauna is also extensive, so with the great beauty of the landscape it is a magnificent area to visit.  There is a nice Park Information Centre at the upper end of Cazorla town, just beyond the Tourist Office.

Distances from international airports are: Malaga-Cazorla 260 km, Alicante-Cazorla 350 km, Valencia-Cazorla 390 km.  Roads are excellent and even unsurfaced ones in the mountains are fine in an ordinary car.  Accommodation in the towns is readily available at this time of year, and there are some beautifully-situated campsites for those who prefer to get a bit closer to nature. 

Here are some of the plants we saw in the karstic mountains SE of Cazorla town about 10 days ago.  This year the season is probably a bit later than usual, due to cool wet weather until recently.  First, a few general views of the landscape:

[ashley]

And some plants:

Anemone palmata 
Iris planifolia  Most had gone over but a few flowers lingered in cooler areas.

[ashley]

Narcissus cuatrecasasii

[Maggi Young]

I find it remarkable that there is no hint of the quite strong red on the outers of Anemone palmata  showing through to its perfect yellow face. You'd think there would be a little  hint of the reverse shade, wouldn't you?

As for the narcissus growing out of holes in the rock - that never ceases to amuse me.

Thanks for sharing your trip, Ashley 

[Tony Willis]

Ashley

glad you enjoyed it. It is a great area both for scenery and the plants.

[ashley]

The petals are quite thick Maggi, but the bronze underside is very beautiful.
Yes it's astonishing where the narcissus get themselves to.  Seeds maybe carried by ants?

Narcissus hispanicus ssp bujei
These look similar to Tony's collection from the same area, and also like Luc's plant.

The plants we found were in very scattered little groups of no more than a dozen or so plants, none clumping.  Many were a bit tatty, possibly due to activity of wild boar in the vicinity.

[ashley]

Thanks Tony.  Yes it's an amazing area and one I'll be going back to whenever possible.

Narcissus triandrus   Unfortunately these were already almost over, despite growing in a shaded damp area.  I was surprised by their height (25-30 cm).
Muscari neglectum

[Gerdk]

Thank you Ashley for these beautiful pics! The Sierra de Cazorla is in my opinion one of the most attractive areas of Spain - and not only because of the occurence of Viola cazorlensis.

Gerd

[David Nicholson]

Most interesting report Ashley, thank you. Narcissus cuatrecasasii WOW.

[Gerry Webster]

Wonderful to see this beautiful area Ashley. The narcissus are great.

[Maggi Young]

Thank you Ashley for these beautiful pics! The Sierra de Cazorla is in my opinion one of the most attractive areas of Spain - and not only because of the occurence of Viola cazorlensis.

Gerd

      - I believe you Gerd! 

[ashley]

Thanks all for your kind comments.
 

      - I believe you Gerd! 

Sorry I didn't manage to find it Gerd

However we did come across 2 other endemics, little blue jobs, both localised and in small numbers:
Scilla paui
Scilla reverchonii

[ashley]

There were also some nice gageas.

Unfortunately on this genus Polunin & Smythies are less than helpful: 'About 15 species occur in SW Europe, mainly in the mountains.  They all appear similar and are difficult to distinguish.'  Hmm, reminds me of something else - but what ... 

Anyway, these look different to me but I don't know what they are.  Suggestions very welcome.

[ashley]

Another attractive bulb: Ornithogalum collinum

[ashley]

And some other plants:

Draba hispanica
Erodium cicutarium   along the roadside in vast swathes
Geum sylvaticum