Spring Flowers

Spring is now well underway, and with it comes a spectacular display of flowering plants on the Rock.

We have had an unusually cold and rainy late winter which has retarded the blooming of our springtime plants slightly.  However, spring is now fully underway, and the recent rains have really aided the plants to flourish, creating a spectacular display of flowers all across the Rock. 

Now is the best time to see some of Gibraltar's native and special flowers such as the Gibraltar Candytuft Iberis gibraltarica, which is in full bloom and can be found growing on the Upper Rock where it is common and widespread.  It is native to North Africa and Gibraltar, which is it's only European station. 

The Giant Squill Scilla peruviana has also put on a fabulous display this spring. An extremely attractive and distinctive flower, this bulbous perennial has blue-violet flowers and can be found on the Upper Rock.  Contrary to its name, this plant is not from Peru but is native to the western Mediterranean region. 

Gibraltar Saxifrage Saxifraga globulifera var. gibraltarica, a variety endemic to Gibraltar, can also be seen in flower during March and April.  Although not common, the main stands of this plant can be found on the northern end of the Upper Rock, including the North Face and the Upper Galleries. 

Some particularily late flowering Paper-white Narcissus Narcissus papyraceus were still in flower during March, which was remarkable! This is usually in flower late autumn through into December and January, and by Febuary has finished.  This was testament to the cold and wet spring we experienced. 

The Barbary Nut Moraea sisyrinchium is also best seen during the months of March and April.  It is common in the southern parts of Gibraltar, especially on Windmill Hill Flats and Europa Point.

 

The Alameda Gardens are looking particularily good this Spring, with more Freesias Freesia refracta popping up than ever before. The firebreaks of the Upper Rock are also currently covered in Freesias. This plant is not native to Gibraltar, originating from South Africa, but was introduced at some point and has naturalised throughout the Upper Rock where it is now widespread and common.  It is however an attractive flower and produces a lovely, sweet scent which to many signals the coming of spring.  One cannot fail to notice that this year, the Rock is awash with Bermuda Buttercups Oxalis pes-caprae with their distinctive, yellow flowers which can be seen hugging the cliffs.  We have noticed that more are in flower this year than ever.  A native of South Africa, it has been introduced and become naturalised. Unfortunately, it has spread very quickly in Gibraltar and is now established in most habitats, outcompeting the native flora.

More information on Gibraltar's flora can be found on the Flora of Gibraltar website: http://floraofgibraltar.myspecies.info

 

The gallery of pictures displays some of the most characteristic species that can be found in Gibraltar at this time of the year.

Iberis gibraltarica
Gibraltar Candytuft, Iberis gibraltarica
Scilla peruviana
Giant squill, Scilla peruviana
Saxifraga globulifera var. gibraltarica
Gibraltar Saxifrage, Saxifraga globulifera var. gibraltarica
Narcissus papyraceus
Paper-white Narcissus, Narcissus papyraceus photographed in March
Moraea sisyrinchium
Barbary Nut, Moraea sisyrinchium
Firebreak Freesias
Freesias and Asphodels on a firebreak in the Upper Rock
Freesia refracta
Freesia, Freesia refracta
Oxalis pes-caprae
Bermuda Buttercup, Oxalis pes-caprae is a widespread and common invasive species

 

 

 

Gibraltar Bird Report 2022

Gibraltar Bird Report 2022

Welcome to the Gibraltar Bird Report 2022.

Read more

GONHS Reaction to Latest Oil Spill

GONHS Reaction to Latest Oil Spill

GONHS notes with distress another oil spill that is impacting our waters and shore.  This comes off the back of the removal, finally, of the wreck of the OS35, another accident that resulted in environmental damage.

Read more

Botanical outing to the Upper Rock

Botanical outing to the Upper Rock

Our botanical outing to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve was held on 25th March. This well-attended outing was led by Leslie Linares (plants), Albert Gonzalez and Michael Grech (lichens and fungi).

Read more

GONHS 2023 Outings Kick-off

GONHS 2023 Outings Kick-off

The first GONHS outing of 2023 was held on Saturday the 21st January.  Robert Perez led a sea-watch at Europa Point, from which attendees had an opportunity to see some of the seabirds that spend the winter in Gibraltar waters. 

Read more

Arthur Harper LRPS - Obituary

Arthur Harper LRPS - Obituary

 

Lifetime President of the Gibraltar Photographic Society, Arthur Harper LRPS, passed away peacefully on 26thDecember.

Read more

Gibraltar Bird Report 2021

Gibraltar Bird Report 2021

Welcome to the Gibraltar Bird Report 2021.

Read more

OS 35 Incident

OS 35 Incident

OS 35 Incident 

The Bulk Carrier OS 35 was involved in a collision with the Adam LNG south of Europa Point on the evening of the 29th August. The OS 35 started to sink, and was directed by the Port Authorities to the East Side of the Rock, where it was decided to beach the vessel to prevent it sinking altogether.

Read more

Birdlife Eurobirdwatch 22.  30th Anniversary

Birdlife Eurobirdwatch 22. 30th Anniversary

Birdlife Eurobirdwatch 22.  30th Anniversary

 

The Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society will be celebrating the 22 edition of the Birdlife EuroBirdwatch on Saturday the 1st of October.

Read more

Join Us

Under 18

Under 18

£10

Adults

Adults

£25

Family

Family

£35

Business

Business

£500

Donation

Donation

£--

  • University Of Gibraltar Logo
  • UKOTCF
  • Bird Life International Logo
  • IUCN Member Logo
  • BTO Logo
  • Bat Life Europe Logo